Why the Giants are suddenly optimistic about Mark Melancon’s return

ATLANTA–Mark Melancon may never be the same pitcher he once was.

But the Giants are increasingly optimistic their closer is inching toward a healthy return to their bullpen.

Melancon threw off the mound for the first time since receiving a stem cell injection to facilitate the healing process in his pronator muscle on April 12. He threw 20 pitches as trainer Dave Groeschner and manager Bruce Bochy stood by his side.

“The way he threw today, that was really encouraging,” Bochy said.

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Since placing Melancon on the disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain on Opening Day, the Giants haven’t expressed much optimism regarding Melancon’s recovery process and his efforts to come back from an injury that’s bothered him since the beginning of last season.

However, Saturday’s bullpen convinced Bochy that Melancon might be able to return around May 25, which is the first day he’s eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list.

“Of course that’s the goal,” Melancon said.

Melancon underwent surgery last September to release compression in the pronator muscle in his pitching arm with the goal of being completely healthy by the start of spring training. The healing process didn’t go as expected, as Melancon admitted he pitched in pain throughout Cactus League play.

The Giants shut Melancon down on Opening Day after he said he couldn’t play catch at a distance of 30 feet without feeling pain in his arm.

Though Melancon didn’t experience any pain while throwing his bullpen on Saturday, he acknowledged that he’ll need to see how his arm feels later and said it’s too early to make any assessments.

Melancon signed a four-year, $62 million contract to fill a massive void in the Giants’ bullpen after the 2016 season, but missed three separate chunks of his first year with the club due to injury. After he began the 2018 campaign on the disabled list, there were serious concerns over whether Melancon would be available to the Giants at all during the first half of the season.

While the Giants don’t have a set plan for the number of bullpens Melancon will throw before he begins a rehab assignment, Saturday’s showing was as positive of a sign the Giants have seen from their closer in a long time.

“The way he looked today, I totally agree with that,” Bochy said when asked about the possibility of a May 25 return for Melancon. “He could be ready before then. I don’t know what his schedule is as far as what’s mapped out.”

In Melancon’s absence, relievers Tony Watson and Hunter Strickland have formed a formidable set-up man and closer duo, with Watson frequently pitching in the eighth inning and Strickland shutting the door in the ninth.

“The entire bullpen has done really well,” Melancon said. “Everyone is getting used an equal amount so it’s been spread out. Guys know their roles well.”

Williamson still experiencing concussion symptoms

Outfielder Mac Williamson is eligible to return from the seven-day concussion disabled list, but the Giants did not activate him on Saturday.

The Giants were hopeful that he might be available Sunday, but Bochy said he spoke with Williamson after batting practice and that he was still “woozy.”

Bochy said the Giants won’t have Williamson back for the next few days, as the club must wait for his concussion symptoms to subside before he can play again.

Williamson injured himself tumbling over the home bullpen mound and hitting his head against the wall at AT&T Park on April 24 against the Washington Nationals.

Giants lineup

With right-hander Brandon McCarthy starting for the Braves, the Giants have four left-handed hitters in their starting lineup. A victory on Saturday would help the Giants clinch their fifth straight series win.

Gregor Blanco LF Andrew McCutchen RF Buster Posey C Brandon Belt 1B Evan Longoria 3B Brandon Crawford SS Alen Hanson 2B Gorkys Hernandez CF Ty Blach SP

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