SAN FRANCISCO -- Injuries continued to decimate the Giants' starting rotation Tuesday, when they were forced to place right-hander Johnny Cueto on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle.
Though Cueto's injury wasn't considered serious, it left the Giants without their top three projected starters, all regarded as examples of durability. Left-hander Madison Bumgarner (fracture in throwing hand) is expected to be sidelined through at least most of May. Samardzija (strained right pectoral) could return after he throws his next injury rehabilitation outing later this week with Class A Advanced San Jose.
Cueto, whose DL assignment was retroactive to April 7, tried throwing off a bullpen mound Tuesday at about 70 percent of full effort, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
"There's still some inflammation," Bochy said.
As a result, the Giants likely will experience the rarity of back-to-back rookie pitchers making their Major League debuts: right-hander Tyler Beede on Tuesday night and left-hander Andrew Suarez on Wednesday. Even before Cueto was placed on the DL, Bochy said there was a "really good chance" that Suarez would get the call for the series finale against Arizona.
Suarez, ranked 10th on MLB Pipeline's list of San Francisco's top 30 prospects, arrived at the Giants' clubhouse Tuesday afternoon, shortly before the Giants placed Cueto on the DL and finalized their pitching plans.
"I'm just excited. Hopefully I get to stay for the games," said Suarez, sounding like he was on a guided tour of AT&T Park.
The Giants also recalled left-hander Steven Okert to reinforce the bullpen. Okert, who made 60 appearances for the Giants in the previous two seasons, was brought aboard in case San Francisco needs more relief help with the inexperienced pair of Beede and Suarez making consecutive starts.