SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy suggested on Sunday that a couple of issues could be nagging right-hander Jeff Samardzija, who struggled in his last three starts.
Bochy indicated that Samardzija, whose 4 2/3-inning outing against the Dodgers on Saturday was his shortest of the season, could be troubled by a slight mechanical flaw.
"He found a little something in his delivery that he thinks is going to help him [if he eliminates it]," Bochy said.
Bochy, who discussed Samardzija's slump with him on Sunday, added that pitch selection also could be an issue.
"He's probably not as aggressive in the strike zone or mixing his pitches as much as he did earlier," he said.
The numbers don't lie. Samardzija compiled a 2.54 ERA as he cruised through his first 10 starts. He pitched at least into the eighth inning in six of those assignments. In his last three appearances, however, he worked five innings twice and 4 2/3 on Saturday, recording a 7.36 ERA. The 12 earned runs he has yielded in this span (May 30 to June 11) doubles the total he allowed in his five preceding starts (May 3-24). His overall ERA has climbed from 2.54 to 3.36.
• Bochy has confirmed that right-hander Matt Cain (strained right hamstring) will be reinstated from the disabled list to start Monday's series opener against Milwaukee at AT&T Park. Cain, who missed two starts, passed his final round of running-related tests on Sunday, Bochy said.
• Bochy also reiterated that left fielder Angel Pagan (strained left hamstring) should be fit enough to come off the DL and start on Wednesday against Milwaukee. Pagan was expected to continue his rehab stint with Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday and Monday before resting on Tuesday.