NewsSchierholtz slated for rehab assignment
Giants outfielder to join Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday
By Jason Grodsky / MLB.com
08/03/09 7:48 PM ET
HOUSTON -- Giants outfielder Nate Schierholtz is set to begin rehab on his left hip later in the week in hopes of returning to the San Francisco lineup sometime soon. Schierholtz, who was placed on the disabled list with a left hip strain on July 28, took batting practice Monday prior to the Giants' first game of a three-game set with the Houston Astros. After working out with the team Tuesday, Schierholtz will be sent to Triple-A Fresno, where he will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday. Schierholtz was hitting .295 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 78 games before being sidelined with a left hip injury, which resulted from a collision with a chain-link outfield fence on July 23 against Atlanta. He is eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 11.While manager Bruce Bochy said Schierholtz's outlook is positive, he would not announce the Giants' starting pitcher for the series finale against the Astros on Wednesday.
Wednesday was Ryan Sadowski's slot in the rotation, but the Giants optioned the rookie right-hander to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday. Joe Martinez and Kevin Pucetas were both mentioned as candidates to make the start over the weekend.
Pucetas pitched six innings for Fresno on Sunday, so he would not be a likely option, leaving Martinez as the probable candidate, but Bochy would not confirm what the team intends to do. "No, we're not ready yet, but we have a plan and someone in mind," Bochy said.Jason Grodsky is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
