Giants’ Bochy names Hunter Strickland closer in Melancon’s absence
LOS ANGELES — Closer Mark Melancon went on the 10-day disabled list ahead of Thursday’s season opener with a strained flexor in his pitching arm, and his replacement will be Hunter Strickland.
“Hunter Strickland will be the closer today, and he will be the closer till we get Mark back,” Bochy said two hours before their season’s first pitch. “With that said, if we need some help we’ve got other guys who can help out there.”
No Giant threw the ball better in spring training than Strickland, who pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings over eight appearances. He has five career regular-season saves and a big one in October.