SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants spent several days trying to figure out how they would clear a roster spot for Cory Gearrin, and on Thursday they killed two birds with one stone. Matt Cain was put on the disabled list with a lower back strain, opening a spot for Gearrin and clearing the way for the Giants to skip their No. 5 spot and have Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Matt Moore face the Dodgers next week.
The Giants do not need a fifth starter until August 27, and Jake Peavy can make that appearance. The spot would come up again September 2 and Cain should be ready to return by then.