Per Hank Schulman:

The Giants optioned reliever Alex Hinshaw to Triple-A Fresno after the game and recalled catcher Steve Holm, ending this business of Pablo Sandoval being the only backup catcher.

We knew this would happen eventually. Why now? The Giants really don't need 12 pitchers at the moment. They have two offdays this week and the starters are going long. Manager Bruce Bochy also said Molina has had to catch a lot of long games and he fears wearing down his cleanup hitter.

The biggest benefit of the move is allowing Bochy to remove Molina for a pinch-hitter (I mean, pinch-runner) late in a close game, knowing he has two potential backup catchers.

The move also leaves the Giants with Jeremy Affeldt as the only lefty in the 'pen. Hinshaw did not help his cause with an inability to throw strikes. Bochy made a rare mound visit without the hook in Dodger Stadium on the last trip to relay his unhappiness with the way Hinshaw was throwing.

While Affeldt is the only LHP in relief the Giants plan to skip Jonathan Sanchez start on Friday vs DBacks moving up Tim Lincecum to start the series opener in Arizona.