San Francisco Giants Call Up Ramon Ramirez, Send Mike Kickham Down To Fresno

February 20, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher

(92) poses for a picture during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After the San Francisco Giants had to blow through their bullpen last night, they decided to make a roster move today, calling up Ramon Ramirez from AAA-Fresno. Yes, that Ramon Ramirez of 2010 fame.

Per Hank Schulman:

"#sfgiants make of official. Ramirez up from Fresno. Kickham back down. 40-man move TK."

Ramirez, who last pitched for the Mets in 2012, has been relatively effective in the offensive happy Pacific Coast League, putting up a respectable 3.46 ERA in his 26 appearances.

Kickham may never even leave the Giants though as Schulman suggests the Giants could opt to bring Kickham back (would require a disabled list stint from somebody) to pitch on Sunday, though the more likely scenario would be the Giants calling up either Shane Loux to spot start or to give Chad Gaudin the start.

It’s a unique scenario to watch for the Giant faithful as outside of a few small hiccups here and there the past few seasons, the Giants’ pitching staff has remained relatively healthy and the lack of ready available organizational depth is showing heavily, especially when paired with the struggles of the rest of the pitching staff.