Manager Tony Vitello’s first professional season begins with an early quirk.
Following the Giants’ 7-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, both teams had an off day on Thursday to decompress from the Netflix-branded festivities. San Francisco completes its three-game set with New York on Saturday, then has another off-day on Sunday before flying to San Diego for three games against the Padres.
It’s rare to have two off days in five days, and there are several decisions that Vitello and his coaching staff will need to make going forward. One of those decisions is whether to keep Logan Webb on regular rest.
If the Giants don’t deviate from their rotation, Tyler Mahle will pitch on Saturday, while Landen Roupp and Adrian Houser will handle the first two games of the series in San Diego on Monday and Tuesday. That would put Webb in line to start on Wednesday — a week after his Opening Night start.
Considering how the World Baseball Classic impacted Webb’s typically methodical buildup to the season, the Giants will likely want to keep their ace on a normal schedule. If San Francisco opts to keep Webb on regular rest, his second start of the season would be on Monday.
The Giants will also have to decide whether to keep Ray on regular rest as well. If they choose that path, his next start would be on Wednesday.
“We don’t have a traditional start (to) the season (with) five days in a row, so just line up your guys the way you want,” Vitello said. “Some of that is let’s get through the first couple of days in particular, but even the first three days and see where guys are at after they throw. There’s a good chance we mix and match a little bit different with those first five guys because of the extra off days.”
There’s also the matter of bullpen usage. With the two off days to start the season, Vitello has the luxury of being more aggressive with his relievers, especially since starters are generally throwing fewer pitches to start the season as well.
Several of San Francisco’s relievers have been dormant from game action longer than usual.
Right-hander Ryan Walker hasn’t pitched in a game since March 20. Left-hander Erik Miller’s last game action was on Monday against the Sultanes de Monterrey. José Buttó has had the longest layoff by far, his last game action being on March 17 when Team Venezuela defeated the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
“When you have an off day, two games, and then an off day and it’s the very start of the season … to me, it’s kind of like let’s make sure we’re erring on the side of being aggressive,” Vitello said. “Maybe having a righty and lefty up, or this is potentially usage for a guy. Right now, we’d rather err on the side of those guys getting hot than not. If there’s any benefit to the newbie in the room, then it would kind of be that unique schedule.”
First baseman Rafael Devers was slotted into the starting lineup at designated hitter for a second straight game to open the season as he continues dealing with lingering left hamstring tightness from spring training.
“If he had to today, he definitely could (play first),” Vitello said. “I know he’d be willing to. For us, it’s a little bit more about communicating with the medical staff and ultimately taking that info into our conference room as coaches and deciding, ‘What do we think is the best move for 162?’ … If we thought that was our best lineup with him over there and it was a playoff game, I think we’d do that.”
Devers, 29, sustained the hamstring ailment in late February during spring training and was held out of game action for a week and a half. Since returning to game action, Devers has only played first base one time on March 13.
Birdsong undergoes Tommy John
Right-hander Hayden Birdsong successfully underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas.
“I’m supposed to be the coach, but Hayden kind of turned into a coach on me with some advice and some well wishes for the opening series,” Vitello said. “It was good. He gave me a piece of advice that I’m going to take more to heart today.”
Birdsong, 24, will return to Arizona later this week and begin his rehab at the Giants Baseball Complex at Papago Park. He is one of three pitchers on the Giants’ 40-man roster currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, the others being right-handed relievers Randy Rodríguez and Rowan Wick.
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