Everybody’s favorite barn burner is back on the big league club.
The Giants needed to make a roster move – they had one too many pitchers up….but Velez? I understand the appeal of a utility guy…just not one named Velez. I really just can’t stand the guy. With that said, Velez put up .311/.355/.434 for the Grizzlies – very respectable numbers. And being it’s that time of the year, any call up could be somewhat of a showcase….not saying it is, but…
Oh. And two hands, Eugenio. Two hands when you catch a ball.

With the All-Star break upon us, it’s relatively quiet right now. Everybody sans Brian Wilson, Tim Lincecum, and Bruce Bochy are enjoying the three day break. Some of the Giants are in Vegas, such as Aaron Rowand – others are back home in the Bay relaxing such as Aubrey Huff. One Giant that isn’t relaxing though is Pablo Sandoval. The Panda has had just an awful first half, one that seems to get worse by the day. Thankfully (or, un-thankfully, really…) the reason for Sandoval’s struggles are starting to come to light. Earlier in the year, CSN’s Mychael Urban was [...]

Yuck. Rough blow. For an already shaky bullpen, things just got a bit more dire – especially from the left side. I’d have to think this all but certifies the notion of going out and getting another left hander, something that was already needed but becomes more of a desperation now.
For those that missed it, Runzler was sent up to bat yesterday (his first career at-bat in the Majors) and he promptly swung, hitting a foul ball down the line, all the while corkscrewing his knee into the ground. Rev Run fell to the ground, grabbed his knee, got right [...]

Brian Wilson will make his second trip to the mid summer classic in three years – Tim Lincecum one up’s him, making his third consecutive trip.
Wilson was widely expected to make the trip to Anaheim this year as he’s been one of the most dominating and consistent closers in the National League this year converting 22 of 24 save opportunities and getting the Giants out of more disasters than BP could dream of.
Lincecum has struggled by Lincecum standards, but, still holds the National League lead in strikeouts and holds an 8-4 record with a 3.28 ERA, elite numbers for 99% [...]

According to general managers, the relief market is “very, very thin.” On top of that, a group of GMs polled by Olney named Brian Sabean as the most difficult GM to trade with.
MLBTradeRumors.com via Buster Olney

Bumgarner was scratched from his scheduled start last night in Triple-A moments before the start of the game, but it was widely expected that he’d be called up all week. Madison had a disappointing spring training and continued to struggle in the minors earlier this year but Bumgarner has turned things around of late (especially since adding a cutter), going 6-0 with a 2.23 ERA and 47/16 K/BB ratio in his last 10 starts. He’s among one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, but the Red Sox aren’t really the ideal squad to open your re-calling with.

If you’ve ever wanted to see Tim Lincecum hit a ball into the Cove, now is your chance. For the first time ever, the Giants will be streaming batting practice live on SFGiants.com today at 4:35. Make sure to check it [kruk]oouuuuuuuuuuuuut.[/kruk]

And in other news – gravity is real. I think. Sometimes. Once in a while? Dammit. I knew I should have stayed awake in science class.
DeRosa, after countless opinions from doctor after working lady doctor has finally decided to go under the knife, putting a kibosh on his 2010 season. DeRosa will have the tendon sheath in his left wrist fixed and undergo a second procedure to free an aggravated nerve. No word on the parole length of the nerve. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the 2011 season.
Also, I’ll be right back. Just got a [...]

Oh yipee. This should be a blast.
If Bochy has any sense of humor at all, he’ll start Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand on July 9th as the Giants take on the Washington Nationals. Stephen Strasburg was scheduled to take on the San Diego Padres on July 8th but Nationals manger Jim Riggleman said that Strasburg will likely pitch on an extra-day’s rest in his final start before the All-Star break. Lucky us.
They’ll be more swings and misses at that game than a pimpled faced nerd at his Senior Prom.

Per Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Merc:
“We still have to get all our team reports in by the All-Star break,” Sabean said. “Once that happens, you can really fine-tune who you’re going to scout.
“We’re developing a list of guys in our minor leagues that we’ll trade and guys we won’t. We’ll have two lists. That is still in its formative stages.”
One notable name on the “hands-off” list is top pitching prospect Madison Bumgarner, who remains the rotation’s first line of defense at Triple-A Fresno.
“How can we?” Sabean said. “We might need [...]