SAN FRANCISCO– A familiar face is set to rejoin the Giants’ rotation.
Johnny Cueto will begin his rehab assignment in Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, where Bruce Bochy indicated he’d make at least two appearances before rejoining the rotation.
“He (Cueto) will pitch in Sacramento on Monday,” Bochy said. “We’re good to go there. He’ll probably stay back and take one more rehab. My guess is that if all goes well he’ll be good to go then.”
“He’s got no issues now,” Bochy added, referring to Cueto’s previous blister issue and flexor strain. “He’ll have his rehab on Monday and if all that goes fine he’ll have one more and we’ll put him in the rotation.”
Bochy also indicated Cueto would throw between 50 and 60 pitches with each rehab appearance.
Cueto went on the disabled list just four days after the All-Star break with blisters on his throwing hand, an issue he had battled throughout most of the first half. He began a rehab assignment early August, but was pulled due to forearm tightness and later diagnosed with a flexor strain. However the Giants slated the injury as minor and were optimistic Cueto would return to the team before the season.
The injuries were timely, as they most likely prevented Cueto from any type of trade or waiver discussion. In the first half, Cueto possessed a 6-7 record with a 4.59 ERA over 19 games.
Notes:
Home field advantage: After last night’s 10-2 win, the Giants have won nine of their last 12 home games and nine out of their last ten games against Philadelphia. In their last 12 home games, the Giants are averaging 5.3 runs per game while posting a 2.72 ERA.
Making progress: The Giants are 23-23 since June 23 and are tied for the sixth-best winning percentage in the National League. They enter tonight’s match-up with the fifth-highest batting average with runners in scoring position in the National League with .271.
Durability: The Giants’ starting rotation has logged more innings than any other rotation in the MLB with 748.2. Ty Blach enters Saturday’s game with eight straight outings where he’s pitched at least six innings. Should he last at least six innings Saturday, he’ll possess the longest streak of throwing at least six innings by a Giants starter this season.
Buster being Buster: Buster Posey is currently in the midst of a 20-game hitting streak against Philadelphia dating back to 2014. It marks the longest streak against any opponent in his career.