Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Logan Webb went from starter to reliever to starter in less than 24 hours. It was Johnny Cueto’s injury that brought about the reversal, but it would be understandable if Webb had experienced some whiplash himself.
With Alex Wood set to debut in the Giants’ rotation on Sunday, Webb was squeezed out in a development that was delivered to him by Gabe Kapler and pitching coach Andrew Bailey on Tuesday night. Webb called it a “good conversation” and understood the rotation needs Wood.
“They told me it wasn’t really performance-based or anything like that,” Webb said Saturday. “It was just kind of the way things were, and I was totally fine with that.”
So reliever Webb entered Wednesday and pitched a solid inning in a tight game, but he was needed because Cueto’s lat strain had forced the 35-year-old from his outing. The Giants expect Cueto to miss a few starts, and Webb is back and set to re-enter the rotation Tuesday in Philadelphia.
He called the past few days “a little crazy,” but has made it clear that he wants to help the Giants in whatever fashion possible. He always has been a starter, but he knows that if the Giants’ rotation is healthy, it has five veteran options. The four it had before Wood’s addition were all pitching well.
“It’s cool that they can also see me as a guy who can throw in a 2-0 game in the seventh, as well as starting a game,” said the 24-year-old, who has a 4.76 ERA in 11 1/3 innings. “I want to be a guy who can be reliable in any situation.”
Gabe Kapler did not want to look a couple weeks ahead to when Cueto projects to be activated again, but for the moment Webb is back in the rotation. Either way, he’s happy.
“I don’t know how many starts I’ll get — I really hope Johnny’s back pretty soon here,” Webb said. “But in the meantime, if I’ve got to step in and be that starter for him while he’s out, that’s what I’ll do.”
Steven Duggar was set to make his 2021 debut, playing center field and batting eighth in Miami. He had an up-and-down spring training but had impressed at the Giants’ alternate site.
One of the focuses for the speedy Duggar has been getting on base any way he can, including bunting, which Kapler hinted at Saturday.
“If the defense opens up for him and he’s able to find another way to scratch or claw and get on base by directing the ball in any particular direction, I think that’s always a win for a guy with Duggar’s speed,” Kapler said.
The Giants’ lineup against righty Sandy Alcantara:
1. Tommy La Stella, 2B
2. Miked Yastrzemski, RF
3. Brandon Belt, 1B
4. Alex Dickerson, LF
5. Evan Longoria, 3B
6. Brandon Crawford, SS
7. Buster Posey, C
8. Steven Duggar, CF
9. Aaron Sanchez, RHP
The Giants’ rotation in Philadelphia:
Monday: Kevin Gausman
Tuesday: Logan Webb
Wednesday: Anthony DeSclafani
Kapler said Tyler Beede (recovering from Tommy John surgery) played catch Friday and was expected to throw a side sessions Saturday. Kapler said he’s using all his pitches.
Beede, on the 60-day IL, is eligible to return May 31. Kapler did not offer a precise date for a return, but said he is “right where he needs to be.
“He’s right on track and hasn’t suffered any sort of setback. In fact, he’s really been accelerated.”