Hard-throwing SF Giants reliever begins a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League

Gregory Santos could be nearing a return. On Friday, the SF Giants hard-throwing reliever began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League.

In another bit of good news, Josuar Gonzalez returned to the field in that same game. He has dealt with a nagging leg injury that has kept him on the shelf since May 23. However, the switch-hitting infielder was lifted after his third at-bat.

Santos allowed an earned run in one inning of work in his rehab outing. He had been on the injured list with the Sacramento River Cats since May 26 due to an abductor strain.

The Giants' bullpen has been leaking oil lately, and could use all the help it can get. That unit has posted a 6.34 ERA this month, which is 29th in baseball.

There was concern about the bullpen heading into the year. Unfortunately, it has played out about as expected. The bullpen blew another game in Friday's 4-3 loss against the Miami Marlins. Landen Roupp completed six innings while allowing two earned runs. He departed with the lead, but Sam Hentges gave that up right away.

Hentges is returning from major shoulder surgery. Oftentimes, it takes pitches a while to regain their pre-surgery form after a procedure like that. That said, the early returns have not been promising.

SF Giants should give Gregory Santos an extended look when he returns

The Giants sit 13 games below .500, so the season should soon shift to which players can be part of the solution in future years. This is especially true for the bullpen, as no one has really etched his name into any plans beyond this season.

Gregory Santos could be one of those names. He returned to the Giants on a minor league deal in the offseason and put together a strong case to make the team. Santos did not break camp with the club, but he was added to the 40-man roster shortly thereafter. He only got into a handful of games with the Giants, allowing two earned runs with one strikeout and three walks in five innings of work.

The results have been mixed throughout Santos' career. Much of that has been due to injuries, as he has thrown more than 10 innings just once. The stuff is undeniable. He throws an upper 90's fastball with heavy, sinking action. He also has an upper 80's power slider.

Santos has the stuff to be a closer, but not much of a track record for success. That said, if the Giants treat the bullpen as an open tryout for next year, he should get another look when he returns from his rehab assignment.

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