San Francisco Giants: Mark Melancon placed on DL with pronator strain
By Robert Davis
The struggling San Francisco Giants (11-23) placed closer Mark Melancon on the 10-day disabled list for a pronator strain near his right elbow.
The San Francisco Giants began Tuesday with the worst record in the Major Leagues, and finished without their All-Star closer. The team released a statement about Melancon’s injury shortly before first pitch against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
A subsequent move to fill Melancon’s roster spot is expected to take place on Wednesday.
Missing a big piece
San Francisco signed Melancon to a four-year, $62 million contract last offseason to solidify the back-end of their bullpen. So far in 2017, he’s 6-for-8 in save opportunities with a 2.53 ERA.
The only other Giant to record a save this season is Derek Law. In 15 innings, Law has recorded a 2.40 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and six walks. He appears to be next in line to take Melancon’s closing spot, as manager Bruce Bochy revealed to ESPN.
“We want to get this cleared up so it’s not nagging him all year,” Bochy said.
Melancon has made 455 career relief appearances. This is the first time the former Pittsburgh Pirate is on the DL.
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Tough road ahead
After finishing their series with the Mets on Wednesday, the Giants return home for a seven-game home-stand against the Cincinnati Reds and division rival the Los Angeles Dodgers. Melancon is a combined 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA,19 saves and 53 strikeouts in his career against both teams.
Against the Redbirds, he is 1-2 with a 1.33 ERA in 35.1 innings of work. His 1.075 WHIP is the lowest against any team Melancon has faced at least 30 times.
Melancon will be available to return by the middle of the Giants’ series against the Dodgers.
Playoffs?
The Giants are 2-9 in their last 11 games, losing six in a row. At home the team is 6-8, while going 5-15 on the road this season.
Melancon told Jerry Cransnick of ESPN that he expects to be back as soon as possible.
"“I feel like this team is going to turn it around. And once we do that, I want to make sure that all cylinders are clicking,” Melancon said."
Even though San Francisco is already 10 games behind in the division and 7.5 games out of the Wild Card, losing their closer for any extended time could potentially derail any playoff hopes still alive in The Bay.
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Melancon said his elbow has been bothering him since spring training. The Giants sent him for an MRI during their weekend series in Cincinnati, which was when the elbow damage was revealed. Afterwards, the team placed Melancon on the DL retroactive to May 6.
Bochy admitted having Melancon in the bullpen means a lot for the team. However, having him in at less than 100 percent is too risky of a move for a veteran manager to take.