SF Giants’ Verlander throws latest bullpen, could return during homestand

LOS ANGELES Justin Verlander took another step in his recovery from right pectoral tightness throwing a bullpen session on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium prior to the Giants match against the Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Bob Melvin revealed there s a chance Verlander returns from the -day injured list during San Francisco s upcoming nine-game home stand against the Cleveland Guardians Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins Verlander threw a live bullpen during the Giants previous series against the Colorado Rockies in Denver Once Verlander returns from the injured list left-hander Kyle Harrison is the majority likely candidate to transition to the bullpen Melvin responded not necessarily when inquired if Harrison would be the starter moved to the bullpen but Harrison makes the greater part sense given he joined the rotation in response to Verlander s injury We haven t talked to any of those guys yet Melvin reported I m not going to say what s going to happen and when until we get home and we get through this series here Over four starts Harrison has allowed earned runs over innings ERA with strikeouts to six walks Harrison is now scheduled to start the coming day for San Francisco against the Dodgers Dustin May as the rivals face off on Sunday Night Baseball The Giants still view the -year-old Harrison as a starter long term but Harrison stands to spend the majority of this season in the bullpen In four appearances as a reliever this season Harrison has allowed two runs over innings ERA with seven strikeouts One thing I do know is you re not going to have five or six starters over the program of the season Melvin reported earlier this month about Harrison s expansion When Verlander s back in that obviously could potentially be the move There s still specific room for a length lefty but that s something we re going to have to be cognizant of over the program of the season make sure he gets chosen innings in to be prepared to do what we expect him to do for a long time Verlander who has a ERA over starts with San Francisco was placed on the injured list on May retroactive to May Upon returning Verlander will continue his search for his first win as a Giant - Former teammates Lee Kim to face each other for first time The Giants Jung Hoo Lee and the Dodgers Hyeseong Kim are both scheduled to start on Saturday evening providing the long-time friends with their first opportunity to play against one another in the majors I went to the national association with him and we went to the playoffs together Lee revealed through unit interpreter Justin Han A lot of good memories playing together Kim and Lee both played for the South Korean national band before becoming professionals then were both drafted by the Kiwoom Heroes previously known as the Nexen Heroes in They played seven seasons together from - before Lee signed a six-year million contract to join the Giants Kim and Lee led the Heroes to the Korean Series the KBO s championship series in and but would lose both times We talked prior to the encounter and we talk on a daily basis Lee declared When I get to see him on the field I ll go over and talk to him maybe tell him a joke Kim began this season in the minors after signing a three-year million contract with the Dodgers this past offseason but was promoted by Los Angeles in early May Entering Saturday Kim is hitting with two home runs RBIs and six steals