Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
It was a surprise when the Giants did not add Nick Tropeano to their roster at the end of camp, and it came as a surprise that he was an early victim of a roster crunch after they did call him up.
The Giants designated the righty for assignment on Friday to clear 40-man roster space for Scott Kazmir, who was activated from the restricted list and will start against the Cubs.
Gabe Kapler explained the move pretty simply, saying the Giants “have others ahead of Trop right now” in the pecking order.
Tropeano, who has started in the past and was stretched out in Triple-A Sacramento, totaled six innings in which he allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in four appearances out of the Giants’ bullpen. Perhaps he does not have the swing-and-miss stuff the Giants want, though he struck out 19 in 15 2/3 innings out of Pittsburgh’s bullpen last year.
He represented a swing man who could pitch out the rotation or in shorter work, and Kazmir was their pick to get rotation looks with Aaron Sanchez and Logan Webb on the IL.
Kazmir, who was home in Houston to attend to a personal matter, was able to throw a bullpen session this week. Kapler did not want to divulge how long he could go against Chicago, but expect a pretty rested Giants bullpen to be used often.
The Giants will wait to see whether the 30-year-old Tropeano clears waivers.
Wilmer Flores, who exited Thursday’s game with a tight hamstring, is out of Friday’s lineup, though Kapler said he would be available off the bench. Kapler wanted to find a day off for Flores in the series anyway, and so Friday was the call.
Evan Longoria (side tightness) returned to the lineup for the first time since Monday.
Brandon Belt (oblique) is “not far away,” Kapler said. He is eligible to be activated off the IL on Saturday and hit in the cage and took ground balls Thursday. He was not expected to hit Friday.
The Giants said Darin Ruf (hamstring string) will miss “at least the next three weeks.” The first baseman/left fielder has been out since May 26.
Caleb Baragar (left elbow inflammation) long-tossed on the field. He is eligible to return Wednesday.
The Giants’ lineup against Jake Arrieta:
1. LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B
2. Alex Dickerson, LF
3. Buster Posey, C
4. Brandon Crawford, SS
5. Evan Longoria, 3B
6. Steven Duggar, CF
7. Donovan Solano, 2B
8. Mike Tauchman, RF
9. Scott Kazmir, P