Role undetermined, Gaudin expected to return quickly

DENVER -- San Francisco's pitching staff will get another boost soon as Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he's confident Chad Gaudin will be back next weekend.

Gaudin threw a bullpen session at Coors Field on Saturday, and Bochy said he isn't sure if the righty will join the starting rotation or work from the bullpen.

Gaudin took a line drive off his elbow June 20 and though X-rays were negative, he was eventually placed on the 15-day disabled list. His last four appearances were starts, but he spent the first two months of the season as a reliever.

"We'll see where we're at, where we think we get the most value from him," Bochy said. "He's so valuable in both the spots."

Since Gaudin went down, rookie Mike Kickham has filled his spot in the rotation. Kickham has struggled in the first two big league starts of his career, allowing six runs (five earned) and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday. His other start came May 28, when he surrendered four runs to the A's in just 2 1/3 innings.

"With [Kickham], we're just going to go one start at a time, see how he handles it," Bochy said. "If we have to make adjustments, we will. We always have the option that when Gaudin comes back, put Kickham in the 'pen, start Gaudin or put Gaudin in [the bullpen]."

Gaudin carried a 3.38 ERA in his four starts, and Kickham's start against Cincinnati on Monday may help Bochy decide who ends up in the bullpen. Bochy said he does think Kickham has the arsenal to be a long-inning reliever.

"I like a lefty long man and I think he's got the equipment to do that. ... But right now we need him starting."