Sanchez for Lincecum
Sanchez set to rejoin Giants
Recall will allow Linecum, Lowry to get additional rest
Pitcher Jonathan Sanchez will return to the Giants on Saturday, only this time in a starting role.
Sanchez, a left-hander, will be called up from Triple-A Fresno to pitch in place of Tim Lincecum on Saturday.
Lincecum will get an extra few days' rest and may start Tuesday, which would also provide rest for fatigued pitcher Noah Lowry.
"We have some arms in need of a break," manager Bruce Bochy said before Friday's series opener against the Nationals.
Sanchez has been with the Giants previously this season, most recently allowing four runs while recording no outs Aug. 10 in Pittsburgh.
Before that, he allowed two runs in two innings against Washington on Aug. 7, when Barry Bonds hit his 756th home run.
But Sanchez has also had some solid outings, and the team wanted to make sure the lefty was given enough experience to develop his arm properly.
"He has tons of potential," Bochy said. "We wanted him to go down there and pitch some innings, to try to get consistency on all his pitches."
The manager emphasized that Lincecum has no health problems, but this is his first full season in the Major Leagues, and the team is wary of having him throw too many innings and burn out his arm. He's already thrown 161 1/3, including 31 at the Triple-A level.
By moving Lincecum back, Bochy can also offer a break to Lowry, who said he felt fatigued after Wednesday's outing against Colorado.
Other September callups: Joining Sanchez on Saturday will be Nate Schierholtz, an outfielder who was with the Major League team for most of June.
He hit .325 in 14 games with the team, and will join the team for September.
Other players are expected to come up when the Minor League season ends next week. Eliezer Alfonzo is a likely candidate, and Bochy said the team would look to bring up five or six Minor Leaguers for some September experience. He added that the callups would not be limited to the current 40-man roster.
No Barry: Barry Bonds did not start Friday, and Bochy said Bonds would determine his availability for Saturday and Sunday at a later time.
"We'll see how it goes," the manager said. "If he feels good, he's going to play."
On Sunday, the Nationals' scheduled starter is Mike Bacsik, who was on the mound when Bonds hit No. 756.
Clubhouse confusion: Contrary to earlier reports, the team is not using the soccer clubhouse at RFK Stadium this weekend. The DC United team is still in town, keeping the Giants in the regular visitors' clubhouse.
This will be the team's final trip to RFK Stadium, which will close at the end of the 2007 season.
Coming up: A three-game series against Washington continues Saturday with Sanchez (1-2, 5.30 ERA) facing Joel Hanrahan (3-2, 5.90 ERA). The game begins at 4:05 p.m. PT.
