SAN FRANCISCO -- With a chance to clinch a sweep of the Dodgers, the Giants activated their closer two days earlier than originally planned. Mark Melancon came off the disabled list Wednesday morning and Kelby Tomlinson was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento.
Melancon hasn't pitched since May 3 because of a right pronator strain. He was put on the disabled list while the Giants were on the road, but he has been throwing regularly and he tossed 22 pitches in a bullpen session on Monday.
Bochy said Tuesday that Melancon would get two additional days off and join the team Friday in St. Louis, but interim closer Derek Law has pitched in four of the past five games, so the bullpen needed a fresh late-innings arm.
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Tomlinson was 6-for-25 in his latest stint with the Giants. He was on the chopping block one way or the other, because Conor Gillaspie, Hunter Pence and Aaron Hill are also on the comeback trail.