Giants hope Cueto will arrive soon, but they remain unsure
On a chilly, cloudy afternoon Monday, Jeff Samardzija will complete the Giants' first turn through their rotation in the Cactus League, with one notable exception.
Two weeks after Giants pitchers and catchers reported, No. 2 starter Johnny Cueto remains in the Dominican Republic trying to finalize arrangements to bring his ill, 71-year-old father to Arizona with him.
General manager Bobby Evans said a resolution might be near, that Cueto is close to securing a passport and visa for his father, who apparently is well enough to make the trip.
The Giants' main concern is Cueto's readiness to make his first scheduled regular-season start against the Diamondbacks on April 4.
"When you don't have Rags' and Gardy's hands on you, and you're not facing big-league hitters, it's not 100 percent the same," Evans said, referring to pitching coach Dave Righetti and bullpen coach Mark Gardner.
Once Cueto arrives, and Righetti sees him throw, the club can decide how quickly to introduce him into Cactus League games.