SAN FRANCISCO - About 45 minutes after the Giants announced that Chris Marrero had been designated for assignment, the left fielder walked up to the locker of one of the newcomers. Marrero patted Christian Arroyo on the back and shook his hand, congratulating him for his first call-up to the big leagues.
"That's my boy," he said later. "I was really happy for him."
The Arroyo promotion and the addition of Drew Stubbs signaled the end of Marrero's April run in the lineup. He was cut and Aaron Hill was put on the disabled list, clearing two roster spots. Just as Arroyo forced his way up with three huge weeks in Triple-A, Marrero forced his way onto the opening day roster with a monster spring that included eight homers. He had just five hits in 38 at-bats before Monday's moves.
"The team is struggling and we've got to make some moves," Marrero said. "I believe in myself and I'll go down and get back to how I felt in spring training. This is what I've worked for my whole life. I lost the feel that I had in the spring. Things were a little rushed. I came in and worked hard every day to try and find it. I'm going to keep working. I haven't lost confidence in myself."
Marrero was put in a bit of a tough spot. He played just about every day in Scottsdale because he was trying to win a job, and when he finally did make it, some Giants coaches felt he was a bit worn down. The team's brutal start to the season put a glaring spotlight on left field, and this move became obvious over time.
Marrero said he likes it here, and that if he isn't claimed, he will go to Triple-A Sacramento and try to find that spring swing and get back up here. Count Bruce Bochy among those hoping it goes down that way.
"We thought a lot of him and still do," Bochy said. "He's a good hitter."
Sports
--- Arroyo had a 4.4 GPA in high school, so the Giants knew he was smart. He's savvy, too. There's nothing like picking up the longest-tenured player on the team, literally. After snagging a ricochet in the fourth inning last night, Arroyo kept running and lifted Cain off the grass. They then chest-bumped.
"That just kind of happened," Arroyo said. "He hit it, I looked at Cain going down and saw the ball, went running and got it, instincts took over. I made a throw and got the guy. It was a fun play. In that moment, I was just pumped up. It's one of those plays you get excited over."
Arroyo said he heard Cain yelling and he thought he was hurt, so that's why he ran over. Cain did have an X-ray on the foot that got hit but it came back negative.
"Christian did a great job handling himself," Cain said. "He picked me up big-time."
The best part of the play came hours after it was made. As Cain talked to reporters, Brandon Crawford - who was in position to scoop the grounder in the fourth - was standing at his locker, a few feet away.
"Let it go through next time," he said softly.
--- Denard Span was out on the field Monday afternoon, but he'll miss another two to four days with that right shoulder injury. This will truly be a day-to-day situation. If at any point the Giants feel they need coverage, Span can be put on the 10-day DL.
--- Hill apparently felt discomfort after playing long toss on the road trip. He can swing a bat but he was going to be kept from throwing for three to four days, so he was put on the DL.
--- This spring, Posey was asked about facing Sergio Romo. Here was his long tendencies-filled answer. Posey faced Romo in the eighth and flied out.
"It was a little weird, I'm not going to lie," he said. "I caught him for so long. It's definitely interesting being in the batter's box instead of being the plate."
Was there a nod or "hey what's up" look between the two?
"I've caught him long enough to know you don't look at him," Posey said, smiling.
--- If you missed it, the standing ovation for Romo was a very, very cool moment. Also, here's my story on Madison Bumgarner, who spoke for the first time since his injury. And here's the first story on Arroyo, with a fun anecdote about his mom. She'll be in the stands Tuesday. And finally, my game story from last night.
