Orlando Jorge Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
If that’s music you’re hearing, Fernando Abad, welcome to the Merry-Go-Round.
On Thursday, the Giants called up the longtime major league reliever, who had spent the season at Triple-A Sacramento.
The 33-year-old, who has appeared in 363 major league games, his last with Boston in 2017, has been solid in the PCL, with a 2.70 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 50 innings. The Giants are juggling not only relievers but starters, too, going with a staff-by-committee following the trade-deadline exodus of four relievers.
On the 25-man roster, Abad will replace Williams Jerez, who was optioned to Sacramento. On the 40-man roster, he’ll replace Kyle Barraclough, whom the Giants recently claimed from Washington and who was DFA’d Thursday. The Giants will try to sneak Barraclough through waivers, after they unsuccessfully tried to do the same with Ryan Dull.
Also officially added to the 25-man was Dereck Rodriguez, who will start Thursday in Arizona. He replaces catcher/first baseman Aramis Garcia, who was optioned to Sacramento following a one-start stint.
The Giants are taking advantage of just about every option-able player they have as they seek fresh arms, especially with a rotation that has struggled. Abad, a lefty with just five walks in his 50 innings, is the newest help.