Cranky elbow lands Giants’ Matt Cain on the DL

Jul 9, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at AT&T Park. Giants won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at AT&T Park. Giants won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matt Cain probably just wishes 2014 would get over with. The Giants pitcher has just a 2-7 record on the year, thanks in part to physical issues. Cain already spent some time on the DL this year with a bum hamstring and now the hurler is going back on the shelf with elbow inflammation.

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The first hint of trouble came last Friday when Cain was seen with his arm heavily wrapped. When asked about it, Bruce Bochy said Cain’s elbow had been “cranky.”

Cain was next scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Phillies but obviously that start has been scratched with Cain going on the DL retroactive to July 11. The pitcher will be eligible to come off the DL later this week, but that depends on whether his elbow remains cranky.

Yusmeiro Petit will pick up Cain’s Tuesday start against Philly.

Cain has a 4.18 ERA in 90 1/3 innings in 2014. He looked to be turning things around a little in his last start, firing six innings of two-run ball against the A’s to earn his first win since May 15, but then the elbow flared up.

When you’re having a season like Cain’s, it’s always something. The Giants hope they have enough pitching depth to survive losing a guy who was supposed to be one of their top starters this season. They could dip into the trade market to remedy the situation.

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