:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69642067/1326998131.0.jpg)
The San Francisco Giants made a pitching move on Tuesday, ahead of their three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Left-handed pitcher Sammy Long has been activated off of the 10-day Injured List, with right-handed pitcher Zack Littell being optioned to the AAA Sacramento River Cats.
ROSTER MOVES: RHP Zack Littell optioned to Triple-A Sacramento
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 27, 2021
LHP Sammy Long reinstated from the 10-day Injured List
Long hasn’t pitched since July 3, and made a rehab appearance on Sunday for the Low-A San Jose Giants. He’s been a starter this year — his first at the Major League level — but it looks like the Giants are planning on using him out of the bullpen in this series.
Sammy Long is active and Zack Littell has been optioned.
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) July 27, 2021
Giants wanted a lefty in Long to be able to give them length against a Dodgers roster that has a lot of left-handed hitters.
The Dodgers have performed quite a bit worse against against lefties (.728 OPS) than against righties (.772 OPS) this season, so Long could be a good weapon, especially with the Giants sending three righties (two of whom have struggled against the Dodgers this year) to the mound in this series.
Long has a 5.63 ERA this year, but a 3.15 FIP, with 25 strikeouts to 7 walks in 24 innings.