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The Giants added a bunch of minor league strikeouts to their bullpen and hope they will translate right away to the majors.
They called up righty Dominic Leone from Triple-A Sacramento, who had racked up 16 strikeouts in nine innings at the level, before Tuesday’s game at Oracle Park against the Angels.
Leone, who has seven years of big-league experience, was another intriguing non-roster invite to major league spring training this year, where he impressed, but the club did not add any arm to its roster out of camp. Zack Littell was the first called up, at the end of April, and has impressed to the tune of a 1.98 ERA. Leone is the next to get a shot for a bullpen that has struggled to find reliable righties.
“His stuff has been strong in Triple-A, but he’s also been really good with his command,” Gabe Kapler said of Leone, who walked three in those nine innings, his control having previously held him back. “…He’s pounding the strike zone and just doing a good job all the way around.”
He was pitching between one and two innings with the River Cats, and Kapler suggested he can continue to take down multiple innings if necessary. The 29-year-old from Connecticut had pitched with Seattle, Arizona, Toronto, St. Louis and Cleveland previously, his stint last year with Cleveland showing an ability to miss bats (16 Ks in 9 2/3 innings) but command issues (five walks).
He was called up and added to the 40-man roster through the Giants placing newly acquired righty Sam Delaplane, who had Tommy John surgery last month, on the 60-day injured list. Room was created on the 26-man roster by Nick Tropeano, whom the Giants like to be stretched out, getting optioned. It is unclear if Leone had an opt-out that prompted his call-up.
The Giants have churned through Reyes Moronta, who is out with a right flexor strain, and Camilo Doval and Gregory Santos, young pitchers with electric stuff but little experience. Matt Wisler has shown peeks at turning his season around, but the slider enthusiast has been at best inconsistent. There is a spot for Leone, who has a mid-90s fastball, cutter and slider, if he pitches well.
Kapler said “things are trending in the right direction” for Brandon Belt, who played catch out to 90 feet and took dry swings Tuesday. Out with a left oblique strain, Belt is eligible to return Saturday, though the Giants have said it may take longer.
Tommy La Stella hit off a tee and took ground balls at second base for what is believed to be the first time since he strained his hamstring. He is eligible to return July 2.