The bullpen has weathered Sergio Romo's near-seasonlong absence because right-handers Cory Gearrin and Hunter Strickland have covered the loss fairly well. Through Sunday the Giants were 22-2 when leading after six innings and 22-3 after seven.
Now, manager Bruce Bochy, pitching coach Dave Righetti and bullpen coach Mark Gardner can plan for Romo's return. The 33-year-old right-hander was to make the first of five planned rehab appearances for Triple-A Sacramento on Monday night with an eye toward rejoining the Giants in Atlanta next week.
Bochy plans to return Romo to his eighth-inning role.