Giants’ pitcher Chris Stratton is used to pitching on short notice.
Roughly 30 minutes before Johnny Cueto was scheduled to make his July 6 start in Detroit, San Francisco scratched Cueto with an inner ear infection and called on Stratton to make his first Major League start.
Though Stratton gave up five earned runs against the Tigers in that outing, he battled through 6 and 2/3 innings and gave the Giants’ bullpen a rest heading into a weekend series against the Miami Marlins.
On Tuesday, the Giants re-called Stratton from AAA Sacramento to give an overworked bullpen a break, and San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that Stratton will again be kept guessing about his next appearance.
That’s because instead of earning a spot start, Stratton will serve the Giants as a reliever.
“He’s (Stratton) good to go today,” Bochy said. “Today was his start day in Sacramento so he’s available for as much as we need and he’ll help out in the pen. I’ve got some guys that need a break down there so Chris will be available today and tomorrow and then with the day off, hopefully we’ll get this pen back in order and give the guys some needed rest.”
After starting in place of Cueto, the Giants sent Stratton back to AAA to rejoin the Sacramento River Cats’ rotation and called up infielder Miguel Gomez. During his most recent Minor League stint, the Giants’ 2012 first round draft choice made two impressive starts, throwing a combined 13 and 2/3 innings while allowing just four earned runs.
“I think the big thing especially after my last start here was just attacking the zone,” Stratton said. “I think I kind of got away from it that day, just really going after hitters.”
In his first Major League start, Stratton battled through a rough first few innings, but didn’t allow a run in his final 3 and 2/3 innings of work. Stratton credits that late surge with helping him believe he belongs at the highest level, and he’s excited to return to the Giants.
“I felt like I could compete here,” Stratton said. “Obviously the day didn’t go how I wanted it to and I felt like I could have done a little bit better. Struggled a little bit early, but finished strong, and I think like I said, I’ve got the stuff to compete here.”
No bullpen for Cueto
On Monday afternoon, Bochy said he was hopeful that Cueto would throw his first bullpen since landing on the disabled list on July 15 with blisters, but that didn’t happen.
Instead, Cueto played a long game of catch on flat ground, and Bochy said the Giants are hopeful that Cueto will progress to the point where he’s capable of throwing a bullpen soon.
“Cueto is throwing out to 105 feet today, I can’t tell you when he’ll be ready,” Bochy said. “We’ll have to make room for him and with our starting situation that gives us six starters.”
Bochy said he was initially hoping Cueto would return to the rotation on Sunday evening in Los Angeles, but admitted Tuesday that’s looking less likely. Depending on how long it takes for Cueto to make more progress, Bochy said the Giants would consider having Cueto make a rehab start before he returns to the active roster.