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The Giants’ next bullpen call-up will need a bit more time.
They already have summoned Zack Littell, Dominic Leone and Jimmie Sherfy from Triple-A this season, relievers with big-league experience who were not placed on the roster out of camp. The next one will be John Brebbia, who probably has seen the most success in the majors among the group but also is dealing with a more significant stint in Sacramento.
Brebbia is on a rehab assignment following June 2020 Tommy John surgery that has spanned eight outings, his most recent two especially important. He went back to back Monday and Tuesday for the first time, which was a final hurdle toward proclaiming himself ready to join the big club. He’s not quite ready yet, and the plan is for Brebbia to pitch with the River Cats again Saturday, Gabe Kapler said, and the righty is “feeling great.”
“Everything went according to plan, and I think he’s bouncing back well,” the manager said before Wednesday’s game against the Diamondbacks at Oracle Park. “I think he probably needs a few days off after that outing.”
That outing involved just three pitches, which he used to get two outs. On Monday, he allowed a run on a hit and a walk while recording one out with 22 pitches. The numbers on the whole have been encouraging, with 11 strikeouts in seven innings while allowing three runs. Command is typically the last thing to come back after Tommy John surgery, and he’s only walked two.
Reports have his fastball at about 95 mph, which also is encouraging. His slider was his best pitch with the Cardinals, with whom he posted a 3.14 ERA in 161 games from 2017-19.
After St. Louis nontendered him this offseason, the Giants jumped on him and paid for the rehab as a way to essentially add an arm midseason. When Brebbia is activated, San Francisco will need to clear 40-man space.
Brebbia’s current teammate is Tyler Beede, who threw his longest rehab start Tuesday in going 4 1/3 innings and 78 pitches. His command is not fully back, which is why the Giants had extended his assignment, and he walked three while allowing four runs and three hits.
“I think there were some improvements from last night’s game that perhaps the line score doesn’t show,” Kapler said of Beede, who has walked 22 in 24 1/3 innings as he fights for control post-Tommy John surgery. “Progress is happening, and that’s the most important thing right now.”
Darin Ruf ran the bases before the game, though he likely will need more time as he recovers from his hamstring strain.
Aaron Sanchez is scheduled to make his third rehab start with Sacramento on Thursday.
Reyes Moronta played catch up to 75 feet Wednesday.
Logan Webb began his throwing program Wednesday and played catch out to 60 feet.