SAN DIEGO -- Giants relievers are going to pile up the miles this season.
The roster churn continued Thursday, when Derek Law was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to take Andrew Suarez's roster spot. Suarez had a solid debut on Wednesday, but the Giants anticipate Johnny Cueto being ready to take his turn and come off the disabled list on Tuesday, so there was no need to keep another rookie starter around. Tyler Beede will start Sunday and Suarez would not have had enough rest days to be ready for that game.
Law may only be here for a few days, and that'll be the trend this season. Roberto Gomez pitched well but was sent down earlier in the week to make room for Beede. Steven Okert spent one night on the active roster but didn't pitch, and he went down for Suarez. With so many relievers with minor league options remaining, the Giants intend to do this all year to maximize flexibility and keep guys fresh.
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"We have to protect these guys as much as getting fresh arms," Bochy said earlier this week. "It can affect any of those guys if we need them to throw a couple of innings."
Among the current group, Osich, Law, Pierce Johnson and Reyes Moronta have minor league options remaining, so the Giants can shuffle them back and forth with others like Gomez and Okert. A player must spend 10 days back in the minors unless there is an injury at the big league level.
While the Giants have been busy early, that could change by the end of the month. Will Smith is on track to return May 1 and the Giants will likely go to a seven-man bullpen at some point, and five of those guys could be out of options.