CINCINNATI (AP) -Rich Aurilia got healthy just in time to face his old team.
The San Francisco Giants activated the infielder from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, in time for the opener of a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. Aurilia spent the past two seasons with the Reds before re-signing with San Francisco last winter.
“I’m excited to see my buddies and come back here and play,” Aurilia said.
He had been sidelined since June 18 with a sore neck – receiving two acupuncture treatments last week before a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno in Las Vegas. The Giants optioned outfielder Nate Schierholtz to Fresno after Sunday’s game to clear roster room for the 35-year-old Aurilia.
“I feel good,” Aurilia said. “It went well in Vegas and I had no pain and no headaches. It was 115 degrees on Sunday, so my legs were a little beat up. I will keep the range of motion (in the neck) and keep it loose. Hopefully, I’m done with it now.”
Also Tuesday, the Giants placed reliever Vinnie Chulk on the bereavement list and recalled left-hander Pat Misch from Fresno. The addition of Misch gave the Giants four lefties in the bullpen. He grew up in Northbrook, Ill., some five hours from Cincinnati – so his parents and two sisters were planning to be at Tuesday’s game.
Chulk traveled to Florida to be alongside his ailing father, who underwent heart surgery Tuesday. The Giants expect him back by the weekend.
“He needs to be there right now,” San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.
Aurilia was batting .236 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 52 games. While Ryan Klesko got the start at first base Tuesday, Bochy planned to start Aurilia on Wednesday afternoon at either first or third.
“He’s got the type of swing I don’t think it will take him long,” Bochy said. “I know he’s comfortable in this ballpark.”
Aurilia wasn’t offended about not playing the series opener against the Reds. San Francisco blanked Arizona in the rubber game Sunday 13-0, and Bochy went with the same lineup.
“We scored 13 the other day,” Aurilia said. “You may as well throw those guys back out there.”
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