As expected, the Giants got Tommy La Stella back in their lineup on Wednesday, but the corresponding roster move was a surprise.
Anthony DeSclafani went on the 10-day IL to clear a roster spot for La Stella, who has been out since May 2 with hamstring and thumb injuries. To open up a 40-man spot, the Giants DFA'd young lefty Conner Menez. Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters in Phoenix that the hope is that DeSclafani misses just one start.
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SIGN UP HERE In the first half, DeSclafani put up numbers that got him All-Star consideration, but he has struggled in recent weeks. DeSclafani has a 6.63 ERA in four second half starts and is allowing a .300 opponents' batting average. He has lasted just seven total innings over his last two starts. The Giants have planned to be careful with their starters, knowing that most of them did not get nearly this much work last year. DeSclafani threw 33 2/3 innings last year for the Reds but is already at 126 1/3.
La Stella strained his hamstring on May 2 at Petco Park and it turned out to be a lot worse than the Giants anticipated. While on a rehab assignment, he fractured his thumb. It took some while after that second injury for La Stella to feel comfortable back on the field.
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"I think he's feeling that confidence level now," manager Gabe Kapler said earlier this week. "He's thinking about working his approach and getting to two strikes and being good in those two-strike counts. That's usually an indication the players are healthy, because they're thinking about those things."
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Menez, 26, is a homegrown lefty who debuted in 2019 and has made 23 appearances over the last three years. He has mostly pitched well, but he has fallen behind plenty of others -- including fellow young lefty Sammy Long -- on the depth chart.