WASHINTON D.C. -- The Giants believe they have the pieces to have a good bullpen next year. On Saturday, one of those relievers returned.
Mark Melancon was activated after spending about six weeks on the disabled list with a right pronator injury. To clear a roster spot, the Giants put Miguel Gomez on the disabled list with right knee inflammation that's been bothering him this week.
Melancon won't be the closer right away. That job currently belongs to Sam Dyson, who has a 2.22 ERA with the Giants, but over time the Giants see Dyson in the eighth (with Will Smith) and Melancon in the ninth. Melancon said the Giants "got a diamond in the rough" when they scooped Dyson off waivers. He hopes to get back to being his old self, as well.
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"I would like to get back to what I've done the past three years," Melancon said. "Get back to a routine and get back to being capable of doing what I've been doing.
"It hasn't been easy (being on the DL). "It hasn't been fun. I'm excited to get out there and get going."
Melancon will join a group that's been red-hot. The bullpen enters play Saturday with a streak of 18 2/3 innings without an earned run.
--- The Giants will need a spot starter next week since Chris Stratton got pushed back to Sunday. Matt Cain and Albert Suarez are the candidates, so now it's up to bullpen usage the next two days. Stratton will go Game 1 on Sunday, Matt Moore pitches Game 2. Both games will be on NBC Sports Bay Area.
