SAN FRANCISCO -- Bruce Bochy's phrase of the spring was "slow-play," and while he hasn't come out and said he's doing it with Sergio Romo right now, that's exactly what the Giants are doing. Romo appears ready after a second round of rehab appearances, including one yesterday in Stockton, and he says he feels fine. But the Giants will give him at least one more outing against minor leaguers before making a call, and they haven't guaranteed that Romo will be back in the next week.
"We'll keep going outing-to-outing," Bochy said. "We'll make sure he's good and healthy and we can use him like we normally would. We're not rushing this thing. I'm sure he's going down there and pitching close to what he normally does, but it does get different up here. You take it up a notch."
The Giants, who entered the day with an eight-game lead in the West, are taking the long view. They want to be sure that Romo doesn't have another setback, that he'll be ready to be the same old Romo through September and more. The next step is a rehab outing either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Speaking of slow-plays, Brandon Crawford is getting a maintenance day. Crawford has a couple minor aches and pains and the staff wanted him to rest a day. He's available to pinch-hit and will start tomorrow.
--- Many have asked why Mac Williamson has been on thin ice since breaking through in Pittsburgh. Here's Bochy's answer: "I said I'll go with matchups. I know he's been chomping to pinch-hit a couple times. We've had him ready. Gregor, he's one our guys, too."
Blanco is 13-for-39 in his last 13 games, and he -- not Williamson or Parker -- is Bochy's long-running fourth outfielder. Blanco is here to fill in for the injured, and that's exactly what he's doing. As long as he hits, he'll be out there. Williamson and Parker understand that, and they've been doing a lot of work in the afternoons to stay ready, just in case.
--- Chris Heston was removed from a Triple-A appearance yesterday with a side injury. The Giants think it's an oblique, and Heston is getting an MRI today to determine the severity.
--- Bochy was asked if Madison Bumgarner will hit for himself on Thursday in Oakland, and he said he's still thinking about that. The guess here is that the Giants use the DH. Buster Posey will catch Bumgarner, but the DH is an opportunity to get another veteran a partial day off, or get Williamson or Parker in the lineup. Remember, Parker does pretty well at the place formerly called O.co.
Plus, Bochy is always thinking about his clubhouse, and it's unlikely he'll tell a bench full of young players that he would rather let a pitcher hit, even if that pitcher is Bumgarner.
--- Our A's insider, Joe Stiglich, reports that the Giants have some degree of interest in Josh Reddick.
--- Going to plug this one more time: My podcast with Tim Lincecum. If you have listened already, thank you! And if you're been listening to these on iTunes, please consider leaving a rating.
