Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain Thursday, a day after giving up six runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Right-handed reliever Cory Gearrin was activated from the disabled list after pitching a final rehab tuneup Thursday night for Triple-A Sacreamento.
The Giants were contemplating skipping Cain’s next rotation turn anyway in order to line up their top three starters — Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Matt Moore — for a crucial three-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles beginning on Tuesday.
The Giants won’t need a fifth starter until Sept.