SanFrancisco.Giants.MLB.com

By Rich Draper / MLB.com

Scott Eyre will spend time on the DL with a back injury to start the season. (David Zalubowski/AP)

As expected, relievers Robb Nen and Scott Eyre were placed on the 15-day DL, while San Francisco also signed veteran relief pitcher Dave Veres and infielder Deivi Cruz to minor league contracts.

Also acquired just prior to the Giants' game against the Chicago White Sox was reliever Mike Crudale, 27, who had been with Milwaukee this spring.

Nen, the Giants' all-time saves leader, is rehabbing from right shoulder surgery last May but is suffering from rotator cuff tendinitis. Eyre is sidelined with a lower back strain and had a inflammation-reducing epidural injection Sunday.

Nen's move is retroactive to March 26, while Eyre's is to March 27. Eyre suffered a back strain last Friday and had a 7.88 ERA over eight innings.

Jason Schmidt   /   P
	Height: 6'5" Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: R/R More info: Player page Stats Splits Giants site

Schmidt still isn't sure when he can pitch for the Giants.

"Nothing has changed," said Schmidt of his back-to-action timetable, but the right-hander was buoyed by a solid 15-minute stint in the bullpen Monday. "I had a good bullpen the time before that and have felt good the past five days. As long as I don't have a setback or re-strain it.

"That's what we're guarding against to avoid a setback," added last season's National League Cy Young Award runnerup. "They knew I didn't want to go on the disabled list, but sometimes it's not your choice."

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti was pleased about Schmidt's progress.

"He'll pitch tomorrow and go from there," said Righetti. "We'll see how he goes in San Francisco. He'll throw on the side there and get plugged in. We still need to get his arm strength back to the point he can pitch in a Major League game and go five innings."

The coach said Schmidt gave him a thumb's up after Monday's session and also noted not putting Schmidt on the DL was more of an administrative decision than anything else.

Also Tuesday, Righetti named veteran left-hander Kirk Rueter as the Opening Day starter against Houston on April 5, while manager Felipe Alou noted Matt Herges will be the closer at the onset.