SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants added a fresh arm to their bullpen for the start of their seven-game homestand Thursday, recalling Williams Jerez and optioning Andrew Suárez to Triple-A Sacramento.
Suarez gave up three runs over 1 2/3 innings against the Rockies on Wednesday and was expected to be unavailable after throwing 33 pitches, prompting the Giants to bring up Jerez for the second time this season.
¡°Williams will be used to help out of the bullpen,¡± manager Bruce Bochy said. ¡°Anywhere as far as giving us innings, if needed, so we can lighten the load on the rest of the guys. We have been using them a lot, and that¡¯s a good thing. We¡¯ve been winning.¡±
Jerez, a 27-year-old left-hander who was acquired from the Angels in exchange for Chris Stratton in March, pitched a scoreless inning in his lone appearance for the Giants on May 7. He has logged a 4.01 ERA with 11 walks and 47 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings for Triple-A Sacramento this season.
In an administrative move, the Giants also added Jandel Gustave to their 40-man roster and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. Gustave, who joined the organization on a Minor League deal over the offseason, has posted a 6.85 ERA over 22 1/3 innings in 25 appearances for Sacramento this year. The 26-year-old right-hander recorded a 3.98 ERA over 20 appearances for the Astros from 2016-17, but he missed the entire 2018 campaign while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
To clear a spot for Gustave, the Giants transferred Travis Bergen to the 60-day injured list. Bergen, a Rule 5 Draft pick, has been sidelined since May 21 with a left shoulder strain, but he has begun a rehab assignment and allowed an unearned run over one inning for Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.
Hayes steps down as San Jose manager
Earlier this week, Bill Hayes abruptly resigned as the manager of Class A Advanced San Jose, the affiliate where the Giants¡¯ top two prospects -- catcher Joey Bart and outfielder Heliot Ramos -- are playing. Hayes was replaced by 34-year-old Hector Borg, who had been serving as the fundamentals coach for the Giants¡¯ Dominican Summer League team.
The Giants did not announce an official reason for Hayes¡¯ departure, but Bochy recently spoke with his former first-base coach and said Hayes appears to be at peace with his decision.
¡°I talked to Billy,¡± Bochy said. ¡°We had a long talk. I felt for Billy a little bit. I know how much he loves this game and what a hard decision that was. But he felt like it was time. It was the right decision for him. I don¡¯t know how he felt at the time. We have to make a call, just like I made my decision [to retire]. The man has done a lot for me. I thank him for all the work and the effort he put forth when I had him here as a coach. He¡¯s a good baseball man, and I know he¡¯s going to miss the game.¡±