PHOENIX–The Giants don’t need to add another relief pitcher to a crowded bullpen.

But Ray Black is forcing the franchise’s key decision-makers to pay attention to his performance anyway.

The right-handed flamethrower was a seventh round draft choice back in 2011 and had never pitched above Double-A before this year due to a rough injury history.

Black, 28, has only logged 122 minor league innings since joining the organization, and fell off the radar after appearing in just three games last season.

Though the Giants already have eight relievers on their staff, Black’s recent success with Triple-A Sacramento has officially landed him back “on the radar” according to manager Bruce Bochy. Get San Francisco Giants news in your inbox. Sign up now for the free Giants HQ newsletter.

“The way he’s throwing the ball, sure he’s going to be talked about,” Bochy said. “This guy has really done a good job getting his career back on track. You look at the stuff, he’s gone back to back so he’s healthy.”

Black isn’t on the 40-man roster, so the Giants would need to create space to promote him to the big league level. With 30 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings for Triple-A and a fastball that routinely hits 100 miles per hour, adding Black to the mix is tempting for the club.

However, Bochy acknowledged the Giants don’t have space for Black as the club already has several relievers who pitch one inning at a time. Right-hander Cory Gearrin has pitched just once in the last 16 days and in August the Giants anticipate closer Hunter Strickland to return to the roster, further complicating Black’s path to the majors.

“With our needs right now, it’s not quite a need,” Bochy said. “If you’re looking for another one inning guy, it would be a bit different. But we’re covered there with four or five guys.”

Rotation in flux

Right-hander Johnny Cueto (elbow sprain) will make his second rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento Friday after Cueto tossed 3 2/3 innings of one-hit ball in his first appearance for the River Cats.

The Giants planned to take a cautious approach to Cueto’s rehab process, but he was the most dominant pitcher in baseball through the month of April and demonstrated similar form in his return to the mound Saturday.

Bochy admitted that if Cueto fares well during a 70-pitch stint Friday, the right-hander could rejoin the rotation during the club’s series against the Cardinals next weekend.

Fellow righty Jeff Samardzija (shoulder tightness) is also poised to start against the Cardinals next weekend as he’ll make his fourth and final rehab start for Sacramento Monday.

Samardzija’s rehab assignment was expected to last three games, but he needed 88 pitches to complete four innings in Albuquerque Tuesday and the Giants want him to work deeper into a game before he returns.

With Cueto and Samardzija set to make starts in the near future, Bochy said the Giants have discussed moving rookie starters Andrew Suárez and Dereck Rodríguez to the bullpen.

“We’re looking at everything,” Bochy said. “We don’t have to quite yet but when they come back, we’ll look at all the options.”

Panik, Hernández resting against D’Backs

Second baseman Joe Panik and center fielder Gorkys Hernández will ride the bench for Friday’s series-opener against Arizona.

Panik is 1-for-13 in his career against D’Backs starter Patrick Corbin while Hernández is 3-for-15 against Corbin and needed a day off after playing in all three games against the Rockies.

Austin Jackson will start for the first time since June 15 as he’ll fill in for Hernández while switch-hitter Alen Hanson will play second base after recording a pair of doubles in Thursday’s loss to Colorado.

Austin Slater will start in left field for the second time since earning a promotion from Triple-A last weekend.