Giants' Samardzija lit up in rehab start
The San Francisco Giants hoped right-hander Jeff Samardzija would need just one minor league rehab start before rejoining the major league rotation, but his results for high Class-A San Jose on Saturday might lead to a revised timetable.
Samardzija, who is recovering from a right pectoral muscle strain, gave up six runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Stockton Ports, an Oakland Athletics affiliate.
Ports designated hitter Nate Mondou, who had hit two home runs in 716 career minor league at-bats before Saturday, belted a grand slam off Samardzija as part of a six-run first inning.
Samardzija walked two and struck out five while throwing 61 pitches, 41 of them strikes. Entering the game, the right-hander was expected to have a 60-pitch limit.
Samardzija is one of three Giants starters on the disabled list. Left-hander Madison Bumgarner (left hand surgery) is expected to be out until at least early May, while right-hander Johnny Cueto (sprained left ankle) could be back next week.
Last year, Samardzija went 9-15 with a 4.42 ERA in 32 starts for San Francisco. For his major league career, which includes time with the Chicago Cubs, the Athletics, the Chicago White Sox and the Giants, Samardzija is 68-87 with one save and a 4.10 ERA in 318 games (195 starts).
--Field Level Media
