Madison Bumgarner's return to the Giants rotation marks Matt Cain's departure.

Bruce Bochy revealed that Cain will be moved to the bullpen to serve as the team's long reliever when Bumgarner resumes his spot in the Giants' starting five.

"I've talked to Matty about his situation," Bochy said on KNBR Wednesday morning. "He was good about it. He knows these things work out. He could be right back in the rotation."

Bochy acknowledged that the Giants discussed a six-man rotation, but opted not to leave the team a man short in the bullpen.

Bumgarner is expected to take the mound Saturday in San Diego in the Giants' second game of the second half.

"My hope is just to get him back in the rotation," Bochy said. "Just having his presense around and his talent. ... He feels great. He threw very well.

"The last thing we want to do is rush him back, especially where he we're at the standings."

The Giants open the unofficial second half of the season with the second worst record in baseball at 34-56 (.378) and 27 games behind the first-place Dodgers.

"We're so much better than what's happening right now," Bochy said. "But I do think we need to get back to who we are. We're at our best when our backs are against the wall."