Why Giants sent Birdsong to minor leagues day after rookie’s stellar game

Why Giants sent Birdsong to the minor leagues a day after his rookie’s stellar game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LOS ANGELES — As he struck out 12 batters Sunday in Denver, Hayden Birdsong looked like someone who had no intention of ever returning to the minor leagues. A day later, the Giants shut down their 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, but probably not for long.

Birdsong was sent to the minor leagues on Monday to clear a spot for right-handed reliever Mike Baumann, who was acquired from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

With Robbie Ray returning Wednesday and Alex Cobb just a few days behind, the Giants suddenly have a very full rotation, along with two scheduled days off next week that give them added flexibility. They’ve been looking for pockets of the schedule where they can find extra rest for Birdsong and fellow rookie Kyle Harrison, along with converted reliever Jordan Hicks.

Birdsong set a franchise record on Sunday by striking out 12 batters at Coors Field, the most by a Giants rookie in a ballpark since Tim Lincecum in 2007. He has a 3.55 ERA in five starts and may not have to wait too long for his sixth .

Normally, minor league pitchers must wait 15 days after being dismissed, but that rule does not apply if they are playing a doubleheader. The Giants have a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday against the Colorado Rockies, and Birdsong was in line to pitch one of those games.

The Giants could start him as their 27th man on Saturday and then move him back to Triple-A, where he would sit out the remainder of the 15 days while he catches his breath. Birdsong is just 18 innings shy of tying his previous season-high.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Monday that nothing is set in stone yet, but that there’s an “excellent chance” that’s the route they go with Birdsong, who has officially been sent to Single-A, not Triple-A.

After having just two quality starters in the first half, the Giants will soon have seven options, though Hicks will likely move to the bullpen sometime in August.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast