SAN FRANCISCO — Under Farhan Zaidi, every spot on the Giants' 40-man roster is a precious commodity and never stays vacant for long, so it was clear that they were feeling the results of several roster shortages with their move ahead of Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Dodgers.
In desperate need of innings, they brought Landen Roupp back from minor league rehab early. In a corresponding move to get him on the energetic roster, they designated for project Spencer Howard, bringing their 40-man roster to 39 players — and more spots will must be created in the approaching weeks.
Roupp was originally scheduled to throw three innings on Monday in his fourth rehab appearance since a month-long absence with an elbow strain, but after the Giants used seven pitchers of their 11-inning loss to the Dodgers the night before, they asked him to tackle that work at the key league level.
“At some point you'll see him in this game today,” said Melvin, who named Spencer Bivens because the starter for the second consecutive bullpen game.
Howard pitched 2⅔ innings on Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks, raising his ERA to five.63 in six appearances. He was out of options and couldn’t be sent to the minors without being placed on waivers.
“Look, he's one of the guys that can get us some innings,” Melvin said. “Obviously, as an organization, we didn't want to have to sit him out. But today is a pretty extreme day considering what we're dealing with. He threw over 50 pitches yesterday and wouldn't have been able to pitch today, so unfortunately this is a byproduct of that.”
While Melvin said the Giants are “hoping” the 27-year-old former San Luis Obispo standout can get off the waivers list and keep him, Howard is just considered one of just a few decisions that could have to be made because the club prompts its second-half reinforcements from the 60-day injured list.
“We're always thinking about that,” Melvin said. “When we have to make decisions, we will.”
Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray have already begun rehabbing after their surgical procedures and are expected to be ready to strengthen the weakened starting lineup shortly after the All-Star break. Tristan Beck has began throwing from the mound and is just not far behind.
If the Giants resolve that their bullpen, which has thrown essentially the most innings in the key leagues, could also use a reinforcement, right-hander Austin Warren (Tommy John) and left-hander Ethan Small (obliques) are also expected to be options within the second half, but each of the 2 relievers must even be activated from the 60-day IL.
In case you've lost track, that's five players with just one opening currently.
In Triple-A, the Giants even have two promising pitchers who’re near being promoted to the Major Leagues.
Left-hander Reggie Crawford, their first pick within the 2022 draft, has been on the fast track through the minor leagues this season with the intention of eventually adding him to the key league bullpen, and although fellow left-hander Carson Whisenhunt was recently omitted in favor of Hayden Birdsong, the 23-year-old 2022 second-round pick could also get his turn at any time.
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