Webb expected to be activated Friday; Lee also nearing return

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants will be closer to full strength when they head to Colorado to kick off a three-game series against the Rockies this weekend.

Manager Tony Vitello said Tuesday that ace right-hander Logan Webb (right knee bursitis) is expected to come off the injured list and start Friday night’s series opener at Coors Field. The Giants could welcome back right fielder Jung Hoo Lee (mid-back strain) during the three-game set, as well.

Webb, 29, hasn’t pitched for the Giants since May 5 due to the knee issue, but he threw 62 pitches over 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and checked off his final box by tossing another bullpen session at Oracle Park on Tuesday.

The Giants could have kept Webb on regular rest and slotted him back into their starting rotation on Wednesday against the D-backs, but they preferred to give him a bit more time to complete the final stages of his rehab process.

“I think, more than anything, he needed to go through the exercises necessary in the training room, and then also to do some of the things he wanted to do in the 'pen,” Vitello said. “He got his bullpen in today. This weekend, I think, makes everything a little bit better for a bunch of different reasons, but [it was] mainly centered on his routine, and what he needed to go through.”

Webb struggled to a 5.06 ERA over his first eight starts of the year, but he should be able to provide a major boost to the Giants if he’s able to regain the All-Star form he’s shown in each of the past two seasons. San Francisco’s starting rotation entered Tuesday with a 4.81 ERA, which ranked 27th in the Majors ahead of only the Nationals, Orioles and Rockies.

Rookie Trevor McDonald, who has been filling in for Webb in the rotation, will start Wednesday’s series finale at Oracle Park, giving him one more chance to show that he deserves to stick on the pitching staff once Webb returns.

McDonald opened eyes by going 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA over his first three starts of the year, but he delivered a clunker in his last outing against the White Sox on Friday, yielding seven runs over 3 2/3 innings.

Lee, 27, batted .268 with a .696 OPS and three home runs over 48 games before landing on the 10-day IL last week. He was cleared to resume full baseball activity on Tuesday, which could put him in line to return as soon as he’s eligible on Friday.

“I think it does, as long as there's no setbacks,” Vitello said. “No activity until today, and then we’ll ramp up the activity a little bit. But he'll get a little bit of everything today to get moving around. The main thing is probably swings with a little bit of the twist into the body and all that stuff. Move forward and hopefully be ready this weekend.”