SAN FRANCISCO -- As expected, the Giants had a roster move before Friday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds. But it wasn't LaMonte Wade Jr. who made the drive down from Sacramento.
Zack Littell was optioned back to Triple-A and replaced by fellow right-handed reliever Yunior Marte, who adds a fresh arm to a bullpen coming off a seven-game trip that ended with the starting pitcher lasting just one inning on Thursday. Wade will continue his rehab assignment and is scheduled to play seven innings in the outfield for the River Cats on Friday night.
Wade hit a homer and a double on Wednesday night in his fourth rehab game. The next day, the Giants put Luis Gonzalez on the IL with a lower back strain, but they're not going to rush Wade back. He has just 12 at-bats since his knee and hamstring healed enough for him to get back on the field, and manager Gabe Kapler said the Giants will make sure the timing is right for his activation.
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"We've seen with LaMonte that we want him to feel confidence in his performance and confidence in his health, and when we bring him back to the Major League level we want him to feel like he can do everything he needs to do on the baseball field without any restrictions," Kapler said. "We're going to be patient with that and we'll be excited to get LaMonte back when the time is right."
Wade has played just 10 games this year because of knee soreness, but he turned a corner earlier this month after getting lubricating injections and the Giants are confident he'll be fine long-term. It seems unlikely at this point that he would return before Tuesday. The Giants face a lefty on Saturday and are off Monday, and Wade has some boxes to check off, including playing a full game in the outfield.
--- Littell has thrown a bit better of late, but he has a 4.97 ERA and 4.96 FIP overall and needed to soak up three relief innings on Thursday. The Giants wanted someone who could give them a couple of innings behind Alex Cobb if needed on Friday night, so Marte takes over that roster spot. This is the first time Littell, one of the few relievers with options remaining, has been sent to Triple-A this year.
--- A few of the Reds wore shirts referencing Tommy Pham during batting practice, but otherwise there wasn't really anything to indicate something unusual has happened between outfielders on these teams. Neither team expects fireworks Friday night.
"Our club has really moved past this," Kapler said. "I'll echo Joc's sentiments: We have incredible and supportive fans but always want them to be respectful as well."
Pham is starting in left field and hitting third, one spot behind Donovan Solano, who spent time during BP catching up with former teammates and coaches. Former Giants catcher Aramis Garcia is also in the lineup and batting ninth. Hunter Strickland is part of Cincinnati's bullpen.
San Francisco Giants
--- Brandon Crawford went out early to test his contused left knee and then took part in a full workout during batting practice. He's back in the lineup after missing just two games.
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--- Jakob Junis (hamstring) is doing well and could be back off a mound in the next week. Jose Alvarez (back) will throw a bullpen session this weekend. Gonzalez will see Dr. Ken Akizuki, the team's orthopedist, on Monday and the Giants said they would have more information about the nature of his injury after that examination is done.