SAN FRANCISCO — Dereck Rodriguez will continue his search for the strike zone in the minor leagues.
Rodriguez, who came out of nowhere to become one of the Giants’ best pitchers a year ago, was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento Saturday.
Catcher Eric Kratz, who was in the injured list with a left hamstring strain, was reinstated to the roster and is available for the second game of the series against the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park.
Rodriguez pitched five innings in Friday night’s 7-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, and although all four runs against him were unearned, control issues which were not in evidence last season were again a problem.