Struggling Giants put closer Mark Melancon on 10-day DL
NEW YORK (AP) San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a sore forearm, the latest setback for a struggling team that owns the worst record in the major leagues.
The move, retroactive to Saturday, was announced just a minute or two before the first pitch of Tuesday night's 6-1 loss to the New York Mets. San Francisco (11-23) played a man short and planned to make a corresponding roster move before the series finale Wednesday afternoon.
The Giants said Melancon, who hasn't pitched since last Wednesday, has a mild right pronator strain. The 32-year-old right-hander, a three-time All-Star, has six saves in eight chances during his first season with San Francisco.
''It's been with me since spring. Just at that point to where instead of having it linger, let's knock it out,'' Melancon said. ''We've got the extra three days on the front end. So let's be smart and make sure once we get this turnaround going, we're full force ahead.''
For now, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said, the team will go with a closer-by-committee approach.
A free agent last offseason, Melancon signed a $62 million, four-year contract with the Giants to solidify the back end of their shaky bullpen. He is 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 appearances.
''It's one of those things that it's not bad enough to do anything but treat on a daily basis,'' Melancon said. ''And then, where it's been with you long enough and starts flaring up to a point to slow you down, you worry about it on a day-to-day basis. We had an MRI in Cincinnati, and it just showed some inflammation, and medication can knock that out. But we've got to be smart and make sure we're doing the right thing, not only for me but for the team. Like I said, when we get this thing rolling, have everybody move in the right direction.''
Melancon will be eligible to come off the DL next Tuesday.
''I expect to be back as soon as possible,'' he said.
One of baseball's most reliable closers over the past few years, Melancon was traded from Pittsburgh to Washington on July 30 last season. He finished the year with 47 saves after compiling a major league-high 51 for the Pirates in 2015.
