Yesterday, San Francisco placed RHP Dustin Hermanson on the disabled list retroactive to April 21st. Hermanson's back reportedly stiffened on Saturday, causing him to miss his Sunday start. Tests revealed mild inflammation in his lower back, and the Giants decided to divert him to the disabled list in order to reclaim his roster spot while he recovers. The club doesn't appear to view the condition as serious, and Hermanson is expected back when he's eligible to leave the DL on May 6th.

IF-R Deivi Cruz replaced Hermanson on the roster, returning the Giants to a pitching staff of 12. San Francisco briefly expanded their staff to 13 when the Giants called up RHP Kevin Correia and demoted MI-R Cody Ransom on April 24th. The club hopes Cruz, who signed a minor league contract with San Francisco at the end of March, will provide more production off the bench than Ransom was able to offer. With a better walk rate, Cruz could be a real asset to a team, whereas Ransom possesses a solid walk rate but makes infrequent and ineffective contact.

The Giants have already rostered eighteen different pitchers this season. San Francisco designated RHP Leo Estrella for assignment when OF-R Jeffery Hammonds came off the disabled list on April 11th. Then on April 14th, the club sent down OF-L Tony Torcato and called up RHP Brian Cooper. RHP Jason Schmidt returned from the DL on April 16th, prompting the demotion of LHP Kevin Walker. The Giants claimed Walker off waivers from San Diego in late March and kept him on their Opening Day roster. On April 21st, the club demoted RHP David Aardsma and called up LHP Noah Lowry, but Lowry returned to the minors the next day when San Francisco activated LHP Scott Eyre from the disabled list.