The San Francisco Giants may be looking to Hunter Strickland as their interim closer to start the season.
Mark Melancon was placed on the DL Thursday because of inflammation in his forearm. He was expected to be the Giants’ closer this year. With him out, manager Bruce Bochy says Strickland will likely be the closer.
Hunter Strickland is the Giants’ closer, Bochy says. No equivocating.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 29, 2018
Strickland’s stay as the closer may last for a few weeks due to Melancon’s injury.
Bochy on when he’ll have an active Mark Melancon: “I’m hoping within a couple weeks. I think that’s realistic. But until he starts throwing, that’s a hard one to answer.”
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 29, 2018
Melancon, 33, had a down season last year with a 4.50 ERA in 30 innings. Strickland went 4-3 with a 2.64 ERA last season and showed good stuff in spring training.
