Why the Giants sent Birdsong to the minors a day after the rookie’s big game Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports
LOS ANGELES — Although he struck out 12 on Sunday in Denver, Hayden Birdsong looked like someone that he had no intention of ever returning to the minor leagues. A day later, the Giants optioned their 22-year-old right-hander, though probably not for long.
Birdsong was optioned to the minors on Monday to open a roster spot for right-handed reliever Mike Baumann, who was Acquired from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.
With Robbie Ray returning on Wednesday and Alex Cobb returning a few days later, the Giants suddenly have a very full rotation, along with two scheduled off days next week that allow them additional flexibility. They have been looking for parts of the schedule where they can find additional rest for Birdsong and fellow rookie Kyle Harrison, along with reliever Jordan Hicks.
On Sunday, Birdsong set a franchise record striking out 12 at Coors Field, the most by a Giants rookie at any park since Tim Lincecum in 2007. He has a 3.55 ERA in five starts, and he might not have to wait that long before making his sixth.
Typically, pitchers have to sit out 15 days in the minor leagues after being optioned, but that rule doesn’t apply when they face a doubleheader. The Giants have a doubleheader scheduled Saturday against the Colorado Rockies, and Birdsong was in a position to pitch one of those games.
The Giants could bring him back as their 27th starter Saturday and then return him to Triple-A, where he would wait out the remainder of the 15 days while he gets a breather. Birdsong is just 18 innings shy of his previous season-high.
Giants manager Bob Melvin said Monday that nothing is set in stone, but there’s “an excellent chance” that will be the case with Birdsong, who was officially optioned to Single-A, not Triple-A.
After having just two healthy starters at one point in the first half, the Giants will soon have seven options, though Hicks is likely to move to the bullpen at some point in August.