Manager Tony Vitello\u2019s first professional season begins with an early quirk.<\/p>\n
Following the Giants\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
If the Giants don\u2019t 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 \u2014 a week after his Opening Night start.<\/p>\n
Considering how the World Baseball Classic impacted Webb\u2019s 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have a traditional start (to) the season (with) five days in a row, so just line up your guys the way you want,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cSome of that is let\u2019s 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\u2019s a good chance we mix and match a little bit different with those first five guys because of the extra off days.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Several of San Francisco\u2019s relievers have been dormant from game action longer than usual.<\/p>\n
Right-hander Ryan Walker hasn\u2019t pitched in a game since March 20. Left-hander Erik Miller\u2019s last game action was on Monday against the Sultanes de Monterrey. Jos\u00e9 Butt\u00f3 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have an off day, two games, and then an off day and it\u2019s the very start of the season \u2026 to me, it\u2019s kind of like let\u2019s make sure we\u2019re erring on the side of being aggressive,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cMaybe having a righty and lefty up, or this is potentially usage for a guy. Right now, we\u2019d rather err on the side of those guys getting hot than not. If there\u2019s any benefit to the newbie in the room, then it would kind of be that unique schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he had to today, he definitely could (play first),\u201d Vitello said. \u201cI know he\u2019d be willing to. For us, it\u2019s a little bit more about communicating with the medical staff and ultimately taking that info into our conference room as coaches and deciding, \u2018What do we think is the best move for 162?\u2019 \u2026 If we thought that was our best lineup with him over there and it was a playoff game, I think we\u2019d do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Birdsong undergoes Tommy John<\/p>\n
Right-hander Hayden Birdsong successfully underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m 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,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cIt was good. He gave me a piece of advice that I\u2019m going to take more to heart today.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019 40-man roster currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, the others being right-handed relievers Randy Rodr\u00edguez and Rowan Wick.<\/p>\n