Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) – Matt Cain’s return to the mound will be
delayed at least a little longer, as the San Francisco Giants have placed the
right-hander on the disabled list due to a strained flexor tendon.
Cain, who missed much of the Giants’ 2014 championship season after undergoing
surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow in August, experienced
tightness in his forearm following his final spring outing last week.
The three-time All-Star had been scheduled to start Wednesday’s finale of a
three-game season-opening series in Arizona. Chris Heston will instead draw
the assignment after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a
corresponding move.
Cain made only 15 starts last season before being placed on the DL on July 9.
The 30-year-old finished the abbreviated campaign with a career-worst 4.18 ERA
while going 2-7.
He finished the spring on a high note, however, tossing four scoreless innings
in a Cactus League outing against Oakland last Friday.
Heston, who turns 27 on Friday and will making his second major league start
on Wednesday, also put together a strong spring. In five Cactus League
appearances, the right-hander allowed just four earned runs and 10 hits over
15 innings of work.
The rookie spent most of last season at Triple-A Fresno, compiling a 12-9
record and a 3.38 ERA in 28 starts.
