Giants Game Notes: Sergio Romo Activated From Disabled List

By Ben Leonard

mercurynews.com photo: San Francisco Giants reliever Sergio Romo is happy to be back in the Giants bullpen

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The San Francisco Giants’ training room has become an alarmingly busy place, even sometimes overshadowing the play on the field. With six regulars out, the injury list started approaching novel lengths.

But finally, reinforcements are starting to return for the Giants. Amongst a flurry of injury news, setup man and former closer Sergio Romo (0-0, 2.70) was activated off the disabled list Monday.

The lanky right-handed pitcher hadn’t pitched since April 10th due to a flexor strain, but was finally deemed ready to return to the big league club Monday. At the moment, there is no corresponding move, something Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy check on before Monday’s game.

Romo’s presence will be much welcomed — the Giants’ bullpen (26th in the majors in WAR) has imploded as of late, bringing back the torture that Giants’ fans became accustom to during their 2010 World Series run.

“He’s one of our late inning guys,” Bochy said Monday. “Those guys you miss. They help stabilize the bullpen and keep things in order. He’s a strike thrower that’s done a really great job for us, not just in the regular season but in the postseason.”

Ideally, Romo will not return directly to his setup role. Because Cory Gearrin (3-0, 2.97) has filled in that role admirably this season, Bochy indicated that he’d like to “get him out there once” in a less high leverage situation to get a “better feel on how…Romo’s bouncing back.”

No Decision on Span

Out of the lineup since Friday, outfielder Denard Span received an MRI on his ailing neck on Sunday. The results have not been released yet. Bochy indicated that Span was given injections in the trigger points on his neck Monday, but was not able to give any definitive news on Span’s near future.

“We need to make a call shortly here, but we haven’t done it yet,” Bochy said.

Javier Lopez could play….outfield?

Giants’ reliever Javier Lopez has long since talked about his shagging ability, something manager Bruce Bochy confirmed on Monday. “He’s our best shagger,” the Giants’ skipper said Monday.

He has discussed situations in which Romo could face a hitter, followed by Lopez for another batter. After that, Lopez could take the outfield.

Other injury news and notes (Hint: there’s a lot)

Gregor Blanco, who was out of the lineup on Sunday with knee soreness, is “improv[ing]” and should return shortly. Even with Span and star outfielder Hunter Pence unavailable, Bochy felt he had good insurance with Grant Green’s ability to roam the open pastures of AT&T Park if needed……Infielder Ramiro Peña (ankle) is good to go, per Bochy. There’s a “good chance” he’ll be in the starting lineup on Tuesday…Infielder Kelby Tomlinson is continuing to rehab at Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, and will play in the field….Second baseman Joe Panik (concussion) is “making improvement,” but won’t be ready until after the All-Star Break…”It’s just time with him,” Bochy said. “Every day, we’ll continue to ramp up his activities. “We’re not going to rush him. We have to be careful.”….Infielder Ehire Adrianza is close to starting his rehab assigment….

Peavy Set to Take On Rockies

Jake Peavy (4-7, 5.33) will toe the rubber for the Giants on Independence Day, facing Rockies’ left-hander Tyler Anderson (0-2, 3.04). Peavy has been dealing as of late, posting a 2.41 ERA over his past seven starts after a rough start to the season.

The Rockies haven’t been to kind to Peavy over the course of his career, knocking the former Cy Young award winner to the tune of a 4.17 ERA in 23 starts.

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