SAN FRANCISCO -- The off day after a three-city trip was desperately needed, but there was no rest for the people putting together the Giants roster on a daily basis.
The Giants returned home and made moves involving four players, and, as always, more are on the way. Right-hander Alex Cobb went on the IL with a neck strain and was replaced by lefty Sam Long, a candidate to take down innings on Thursday when Cobb was supposed to start. Darin Ruf returned from the bereavement list and infielder Jason Vosler was optioned back to Triple-A to clear a spot.
What was notable was the move that wasn't made. The Giants had initially hoped to get Brandon Belt back near the start of the road trip, but Belt still isn't ready after having his knee drained and getting a cortisone injection. Tuesday will be his 15th game missed and there's no firm timetable for his return, although he did play catch and do some drills on the field before the first of three against the Colorado Rockies.
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"I still have a few boxes to check," Belt said.
If Belt is able to return this week, another key left-handed bat might not be far behind. LaMonte Wade Jr. is getting the final in a series of lubricating injections in his inflamed left knee and likely will start a rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Sacramento. Manager Gabe Kapler said Wade's progress in recent days has been the best development among the injured Giants.
"He really accelerated quickly," Kapler said.
Wade, who has played just 10 games this season, took part in the pregame workout and was bouncing around like someone who should be back to normal when his rehab stint is up. Here are some other injury updates as the Giants finally return home:
San Francisco Giants
--- Cobb had back tightness in Miami and also hamstring pain, but Kapler said a scan ruled out anything serious. As Cobb was moving past those issues and preparing to make his next start, his neck stiffened up. Kapler said it's "possible" that Cobb returns in Pittsburgh at the start of the next trip, which would mean at least two more skipped starts.
"We'll push towards that and if we have to adjust, we will," Kapler said.
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For now, it sounds like the Giants will go with bullpen games in that rotation spot.
--- Matthew Boyd has been on the 60-day IL all year as he recovers from elbow surgery, but his rehab is going according to plan and he'll soon take the next steps. Boyd potentially is just one bullpen session from facing hitters, and after that, he could be ready for a rehab assignment. The veteran lefty would give the Giants another rotation option.
--- Steven Duggar started a rehab assignment with the River Cats last week and has gotten eight at-bats so far. There's no rush on this one; Duggar (oblique) is on the 60-day IL so he is not eligible to return until June 21.