Mijares' arrival frees Affeldt for possible closing work

The San Francisco Giants got a new reliever Monday when they acquired lefty Jose Mijares off waivers from the Kansas City Royals.

There's more to it.

The pickup allows Jeremy Affeldt to be available for closing duties if necessary, another sign management isn't 100 percent on board with Santiago Casilla in the ninth-inning role.

"With Casilla, trying to give him his needed rest, that's forced us to change our minds and do it by committee," manager Bruce Bochy said.

Mijares had a 2.56 ERA. Against lefties, his ERA was 1.93.

In other words, he can be a situational lefty (along with Javier Lopez), while Affeldt could work against both lefties and righties should the situation dictate it.

Casilla was an All-Star candidate for much of the first half. However, this is the first season he has had full-time closing duties, and he has been inconsistent over the past several weeks, perhaps because of a finger blister. Perhaps not.

It seemed surprising a lefty with a low ERA would slip through waivers as did Mijares. He wasn't in uniform for the Giants' 8-2 loss in St. Louis on Monday, but he's expected to join his new team Tuesday or Wednesday.