SAN FRANCISCO -- Johnny Cueto’s next start for the Giants will come earlier than expected.
The Giants had originally planned for Cueto to pitch on Tuesday at Fenway Park against the Red Sox, giving him six days of rest after his Tommy John surgery comeback outing, but the 33-year-old veteran recovered so well that the club has decided to keep him on a normal schedule and start him against the Marlins on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park.
“It’s clear evidence that this man really worked hard,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy prior to Thursday afternoon's 4-2 loss to the Pirates. “You see him, he’s in tremendous shape. He was very determined to come back.”
Cueto threw 69 pitches on Tuesday in his first Major League start since July 28, 2018, holding the Bucs to one hit over five scoreless innings. Bochy said Cueto will again be limited to approximately 70 pitches on Sunday, and the skipper also said the veteran righty will stay in the rotation for the rest of the season.
The decision to move up Cueto’s start means Dereck Rodríguez will lose his rotation spot, at least temporarily. Bochy said Rodriguez will be available to pitch out of the bullpen, but he remains a candidate to start in Boston next week.
“We can throw him in there,” Bochy said. “As we go in Boston, we’ll see how much we’ve used the ’pen or Dereck. I’ll be honest, it could be a call between [Logan] Webb and Rodriguez there in Boston.”
Tyler Beede will start Friday’s series opener against Miami, followed by Madison Bumgarner on Saturday.
Injury updates
• Reyes Moronta is expected to be sidelined for nine to 11 months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Bochy said Moronta likely won’t return until early August 2020.
• Will Smith (back stiffness) will play catch on Friday and could be available for this weekend’s series against the Marlins.
• Alex Dickerson (right oblique soreness) took 40 swings on Wednesday and will hit off a machine on Friday. Bochy is hoping Dickerson will be available to pinch-hit this weekend.
Sandoval nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
Pablo Sandoval is the Giants’ nominee for the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award, which each year honors the Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions.
Sandoval, who underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this month, held a benefit for the Pablo Sandoval Foundation at Oracle Park on Thursday, with 100 percent of the donations going to help local children in need.
“We always talk about the talent of these guys, but they’re good people,” Bochy said. “They do a lot of good things, and Pablo is right there. He’s got a big heart. I think it means a lot to him, but it means a lot to him that players reach out and help out in the community.”