Giants Make Roster Moves

[love_that_reefer]

Giants optioned RHP Billy Sadler to Triple-A Fresno. Sadler was doing OK until giving up four runs last night. That took his ERA from 3.57 to 4.94 and cost him his roster spot. Giants optioned catcher Steve Holm to Triple-A Fresno. Holm was hitting .214/.321/.357 in 70 at-bats as Bengie Molina's backup. The Giants are turning to Elizer Alfonzo hoping to get a little more offense. Giants recalled RHP Osiris Matos from Double-A Connecticut. Another Double-A reliever added to the Giants' pen. Matos, probably the best of the team's current crop of relief prospects, has already been on the Giants' 40-man roster for 1 1/2 years, but this will be his first taste of his majors. He had a 1.23 ERA in 36 2/3 innings in the Eastern League. Giants recalled catcher Eliezer Alfonzo from Triple-A Fresno. We figured the 50-game PED ban would be the end for Alfonzo in San Francisco, especially since the organization seemed down on him long before then, but he was hot in Triple-A recently and that will give him a shot. He'll back up Bengie Molina.

I am not really happy with Holm being sent down. He did stop hitting but still called a great game behind the plate. Plus Alfonzo hasn't been playing much of the year thanks to a 50 game suspension. Sadler was mistreated but do think its best for him to go down and give someone else a shot. Matos' number look good and with the success of Romo so far, it might work out. At least the Giants are trying but I hope to see Holm back up as he is a bright guy and someone I can trust behind the plate.

[love_that_reefer]

Giants optioned OF Brian Horwitz to Triple-A Fresno. "The Rabbi" went 8-for-36 with two homers in 21 games for the Giants, but they wanted to get him more playing time in the minor leagues. No corresponding roster moves were announced, but manager Bruce Bochy says that it won't be Nate Schierholtz.

We knew it wouldn't last but the kid did impress in his short time here. He possesses a good eye at the plate. It was good for him to see what the big leagues are all about and now can work at things at AAA.

[hot_corner_gurl]

When is Schierholtz gonna show up, if at all? I've been waiting for the local kid to finally get a starting spot.

[love_that_reefer]

Probably not until September unless someone gets hurt or traded. They want to give him regular playing time which is something not offered at the ML level.

[hot_corner_gurl]

That's what I was figuring. Bummer. Hopefully if/when he gets called up he proves his worth.

[love_that_reefer]

The Giants will officially announce on Tuesday that they have recalled infielder-outfielder Eugenio Velez from Triple-A Fresno to fill the vacancy on their active Major League roster.

****!!! He was batting .310 in Fresno so maybe he can help a little but Durham is hitting too well to lose ABs.

[love_that_reefer]

Giants optioned INF Travis Denker to Single-A San Jose. Denker put up a decent .243/.333/.486 line in 37 at-bats for the Giants, but he wasn't getting regular playing time and had only two hits in his last 18 at-bats. Giants purchased the contract of INF Ivan Ochoa from Triple-A Fresno. Ochoa was hitting .318 at Triple-A, with six homers and 32 RBI. He'd also stolen 20 bases. He'll take Travis Denker's spot on the roster as the Giants continue to audition their young players (if by "audition their young players" you mean let them sit on the bench behind Omar Vizquel and Ray Durham).

Giving Denker more playing time is a smart move but bringing up Ochoa when we already have Velez up is dumb. Keep him down and let him play or send Velez down as well. We do not need this many infielders on the roster. Burriss should be starting over Vizquel and Durham is hitting too well to keep him out of the lineup. Aurilia, Burriss, Durham and Bowker should make up our infield with Vizquel and Castillo backing up.