Tag Archives: Ryan Vogelsong

Giants activate Tony Abreu, option Nick Noonan to Fresno

Infielder Tony Abreu has been activated from the 60-day DL and will join the San Francisco Giants, according to Henry Schulman of the Chronicle. To make room, Ryan Vogelsong was transferred from the 15 to 60-day DL and infielder Nick Noonan has been optioned to Triple-A Fresno.

Abreu was the favorite to make the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder, only losing out to Noonan when he strained his left knee in Spring Training. The 28-year old second basemen has played for three major league teams since 2007, finishing the 2012 season as a member of the Kansas City Royals. In 464 career plate appearances in the majors, Abreu has a .252/.280/.355 slash line.

Abreu has played second, third and shortstop throughout his career, making him an ideal utility infielder. Though he has the same versatility as the player he is replacing, I don’t expect him to garner any more playing time than Noonan did in his time on the roster.

Noonan’s role had been limited, starting just eight games and logging 63 plate appearances. He had just 12 hits in his young major-league career, and only one went for extra bases. Unlike Abreu, Noonan, 24, is a developing player and will be well-served getting everyday reps in Fresno.

Vogelsong has been out since May 20th with two broken bones in his right pinky finger. With a move to the 60-day DL the earliest the right-handed starter could return is July 19th, which is San Francisco’s first game after the All-Star Break.

Mike Kickham to start for Giants Tuesday

Left-hander Mike Kickham will start Tuesday for the San Francisco Giants when they play the Oakland Athletics. Kickham last pitched in Fresno on Friday, getting his third straight win and improving his record to 3-4. He has been the hot hand, giving up just three earned runs in his last three starts combined after a rocky start to the season.

“He’s been the best pitcher down there in Fresno,” said Bruce Bochy, “He’s a left hander we think a lot of.”

The need for a starter arose after Ryan Vogelsong was injured in his start last Monday when a pitch broke his pinky finger in two places during a fifth-inning at-bat. The Giants were able to skip his turn on Friday, using Thursday’s off day to keep the other rotation pitchers on normal rest.

Management will need to make a roster move, as Kickham is not on the 40-man roster. The simplest move would be to transfer Erik Surkamp from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list. Surkamp is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he really isn’t on the radar to contribute in the big leagues this season. The move is expected to come late Monday or early Tuesday.

Episode 104: Kickham While He’s Down

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Episode 104: Kickham While He’s Down is out!

In the hundred-and-fourth episode, Thomas and Danny talk about Vogelsong’s broken finger, Casilla’s bad knee, and just who is going to take over for all these broken players.

Click on the image below to find it on iTunes:  You can also find it on the RSS feed, or by clicking on the play button below. We look forward to your feedback, either by commenting here on the blog, emailing us at giantspod@gmail.com, or our Twitter feed. Go Giants!