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| The Giants optioned pitcher Patrick Misch back to Triple-A Fresno before Friday's game to open a spot for Russ Ortiz, who was activated about an hour before his start. Ortiz's activation was expected, but Misch's departure comes as a bit of a surprise. He was expected to make at least two more starts before any final decisions were made about the pitching rotation. As it is, Misch received only two chances. Misch threw well in his only two outings as a Major League starter. In his first appearance he gave up a leadoff home run before settling down to hold the Padres to two runs in five innings. It was the way he kept his composure through those five innings that impressed manager Bruce Bochy most. "His first start, he gives up a leadoff homer, but he kept his composure, didn't get rattled and pitched well in traffic. He really has a calmness about him we like," Bochy said before Misch's second start. That second start was Thursday against the Nationals, and while Misch wasn't as sharp as his first, he was two outs away from a quality start. The three runs in 5 1/3 innings was a start the Giants could have won with, Bochy said. Misch and Ortiz were the two likely candidates to fill Matt Morris' third spot in the rotation. With Misch gone, it looks like the spot will go to Ortiz. The Giants started the season with Ortiz in the rotation, but an elbow injury put him on the DL and he returned as a reliever. Friday was Ortiz's first start for the Giants since May 1. Ortmeier returns: Outfielder Daniel Ortmeier was officially recalled Friday and made the starting lineup on his first day back. The Giants called Ortmeier on Thursday afternoon when they traded pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney to the Dodgers. Ortmeier said it would have been perfect if he were recalled one week earlier so he could watch Barry Bonds break the home run record in person, but he's just glad to be back, period. Ortmeier was with the Giants from May 10-June 10 and provided good coverage in the outfield while batting .269. "It was hard going down earlier this year," Ortmeier said. "I didn't know if I was coming back. You don't have control of that. You just have to play hard." Popli what? An MRI revealed that Dave Roberts strained the popliteus muscle in his right knee when he collided with the catcher's knee guard in an attempt to steal home Thursday. Roberts was taken out of the game and was still out Friday, but he was available to play and Bochy expects him back in the lineup soon. If you haven't heard of the popliteus before, that's because it's an uncommon injury among athletes, Giants trainer Dave Groeschner said. Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo strained his earlier this season, but Groeschner said it was hardly worth mentioning. The popliteus is a small muscle in the back of the knee. Lowry throws: Starter Noah Lowry threw a bullpen session Friday and said his arm felt 100 percent fine. Lowry came out early in his last start with tightness in his left forearm and missed his next start. He was originally expected to throw in one of the doubleheader games in Pittsburgh on Monday, but Bochy said his next start is to be announced. Alfonzo progresses: Alfonzo moved from Rookie-level Arizona to Triple-A Fresno to continue his rehabilitation assignment. He will catch four or five innings Friday and Saturday, but Bochy wants him to catch back-to-back complete games before he comes back. On deck: The Pirates will remain in San Francisco for the weekend and will face Tim Lincecum (6-2, 3.59 ERA) in the second game of the series Saturday afternoon. Opposite Lincecum will be Tony Armas (1-3, 6.31). |