SAN FRANCISCO — As far as rehab starts go, it doesn’t get much better than the four perfect innings Blake Snell threw for Single-A San Jose earlier this week. The reigning National League Cy Young winner will, however, make one more tuneup before rejoining the Giants’ starting rotation.
As the Giants play host to the Rockies on Friday, the 31-year-old left-hander will be just up I-80 at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento.
“Blake is going to pitch Friday in Sacramento,” manager Bob Melvin confirmed Tuesday. “He’s going to pitch Friday in Sacramento and then he’ll come back with us. That’ll be his last one.”
Since signing a two-year, $62 million free-agent deal on March 19, Snell has made only three starts for the Giants, going 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA before straining the adductor muscle in his left groin during a bullpen session earlier this month.
In eight turns through Snell’s spot in the rotation, the Giants have gone 1-7, only winning for the first time behind Mason Black on Sunday while Snell mowed through Single-A hitters on the other end of the San Francisco Bay. Not allowing a base runner over four innings, Snell threw 46 pitches — plus 15 more in a side session afterward — and struck out seven and while recording an immaculate first inning (three strikeouts on nine pitches).
If all goes well Friday in Sacramento, Snell would be lined up to return to the Giants’ rotation next Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
With an off day on Thursday — their first in 16 games — the Giants were able to get by with four starters until then, optioning Black to back to Sacramento on Monday in favor of Nick Avila, who can provide some help out of the bullpen.
Bailey’s status still in question
The Giants are exercising caution when it comes to Patrick Bailey, but Melvin acknowledged they are running into a time crunch to determine whether their catcher’s cold symptoms are related to his recent concussion while he takes up one of 26 spots on the active roster.
“That’s what we’re worried about,” Melvin said. “So we’re going to be very careful with that.”
Bailey, 24, was held out of the lineup Tuesday for a third consecutive game since returning Saturday from a weeklong absence in concussion protocol. Bailey was initially penciled in as the designated hitter the following day but was scratched when he woke up with cold symptoms that have persisted since.
Related Articles
Jung Hoo Lee has structural damage in shoulder, but SF Giants don’t know next steps yet
In loss to Dodgers, SF Giants blow chance to build 3-game winning streak
SF Giants to debut City Connect uniforms Tuesday after production delays
What are SF Giants center field options after Jung Hoo Lee’s injury?
Kurtenbach: Why the SF Giants’ brutal string of injuries might be exactly what the organization needed
“We’re still trying to figure that one out,” Melvin said. “Hopefully we’re coming close to getting a resolution on that too. Unfortunately right now it’s taking up a spot on our roster and we’re not using him. We have to make a decision here pretty soon about what we think it is.”
Notable
Hitting in the cage for the first time since straining his right shoulder, Jorge Soler (shoulder) was struck in the head by a foul ball that caromed off the top of the top railing of the batting cage. Melvin said before the game that Soler could begin a rehab assignment in the coming days, but he was escorted off the field by a trainer.
Meanwhile, Michael Conforto (hamstring) and Austin Slater (concussion) have not resumed baseball activity and remain far away from returning.
