Giants' Sean Hjelle: Denied Opening Day roster spot
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The Giants optioned Hjelle to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.
With Anthony DeSclafani finishing spring training healthy after initially being eased while he worked back from last July's ankle surgery, he appears set to serve as the Giants' long-relief option and preferred spot starter. The presence of DeSclafani and another multi-inning relief option in Jakob Junis leaves no room for Hjelle, who sputtered to a 5.76 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 25 innings in the big leagues a season ago.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Looks set for bullpen role
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Hjelle appears to be in line for a spot in the Giants' Opening Day bullpen, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Hjelle has covered 15 innings over five Cactus League outings, pitching to an excellent 1.80 ERA and 18:2 K:BB. The Giants' rotation remains crowded even with concerns around Alex Cobb's knee, but Hjelle should get a chance to be a long reliever or tandem starter early in the season. The right-hander made all eight of his major-league appearances out of the bullpen last season, but he's worked exclusively as a starter in the minors.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Impressing this spring
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Hjelle has allowed two earned runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out 10 over eight innings through three Cactus League appearances.
That's the good news, but as a 25-year-old with all of 25 big-league innings under his belt, Hjelle faces an uphill battle in a crowded competition for a job in the San Francisco rotation. The right-hander logged a 5.76 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB across eight appearances last season, all as a bulk reliever, though he also started 22 times for Triple-A Sacramento and posted a 4.92 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 97 innings at that level. Hjelle likely needs a bit more time in the minors, but it's encouraging to see him flash some potential in spring training.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Fans eight in bulk-relief role
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Hjelle did not factor in the decision against San Diego on Monday, pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters.
John Brebbia started for San Francisco but pitched only one inning. Hjelle ended up logging a starter's workload, throwing 76 pitches over five frames and holding the Padres without a run. It marked the second time this season the right-hander tossed five innings in relief, and his eight strikeouts Monday were a season high. Hjelle has pitched well over his past three appearances, giving up just three earned runs across 13 innings, but a pair of blowups prior to that means he'll likely finish his rookie campaign with an unappealing 5.76 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Promoted Sunday
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Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
The 25-year-old was demoted to Sacramento on Saturday but will quickly rejoin the big-league club. Hjelle could provide some length out of the bullpen Sunday with Scott Alexander starting as an opener against the Diamondbacks.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Expected back with Giants
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Hjelle is expected to recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Hjelle was optioned to the minors Saturday, but he will be able to return after Logan Webb (back) was placed on the injured list. The Giants are set to throw a bullpen game Sunday, and Hjelle last pitched Wednesday. That makes him a candidate to work multiple innings against the Diamondbacks.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Optioned to minors
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Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Hjelle was recalled Wednesday and tossed four innings as the bulk reliever against the Rockies, picking up a win. His regular season may be done, though the Giants could still recall him if another player hits the injured list in a corresponding move. If he doesn't pitch in the big leagues against this season, he'll end his rookie campaign with a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings of relief.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Earns win as bulk reliever
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Hjelle earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters over four innings.
Reliever John Brebbia opened the game for San Francisco and completed one inning. Hjelle followed with four solid frames, and he departed after the fifth with the Giants up by a run. San Francisco was able to keep the lead throughout the remainder of the contest to give Hjelle his first big-league win. Following a rough outing against the Dodgers on Sept. 17 during which he gave up six earned runs in just one inning, Hjelle has bounced back by surrendering a respectable three earned runs over his subsequent eight frames.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Gets call-up Wednesday
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The Giants recalled Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
San Francisco placed reliever Jarlin Garcia on the paternity list in a corresponding move to open up a spot on the 28-man active roster for HJelle. Before being optioned to Triple-A on Sept. 21, Hjelle served as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen the previous day in Colorado, covering four innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out three. He could be deployed in bulk relief once again Wednesday behind John Brebbia, who is starting but serving as more of an opener.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Optioned to Triple-A
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Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.
After giving up six hits and two runs over four innings Wednesday, Hjelle will return to Triple-A. His 8.10 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over nine innings in September was a good indicator this move was coming, and he will now be replaced on the active roster by fellow reliever Jharel Cotton.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Functions as primary pitcher
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Hjelle allowed two runs on six hits and struck out three over four innings, but he did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.
Hjelle pitched the fourth through seventh innings, but it was Tyler Rogers who was credited with the win in this one. It was still a positive outing for Hjelle on three days' rest, especially since it was at Coors Field. The right-hander has allowed nine runs in 10 innings since rejoining the big club earlier this month. He has an 8.44 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 16 innings across six appearances. It's not clear when Hjelle might pitch again, though he could continue to work as a bulk reliever behind an opener.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Rocked in third inning
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Hjelle (0-2) took the loss during Saturday's 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk in one-plus innings. He failed to record a strikeout.
Hjelle followed opener John Brebbia and permitted two runs on three baserunners in the second inning before allowing six straight baserunners to open the third, prompting his removal. The 25-year-old's allowed multiple runs in three of his five appearances this season, and he possesses a 9.75 ERA along with a 2.17 WHIP in 12 innings.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Called up Saturday
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Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.
The 25-year-old spent just over a week in the minors but will rejoin the major-league club after Luis Ortiz was sent down Saturday. Hjelle will likely be available to serve as a bulk reliever behind opener John Brebbia during Saturday's matchup against the Dodgers.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Returns to minors
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Hjelle was returned to Triple-A Sacramento after Thursday's doubleheader in Milwaukee, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Hjelle joined the team as the 29th man for the twin bill. After allowing one run in five innings of bulk relief work, he'll return to the minors. The strong outing was only enough to lower his season ERA to 5.73, but his 15:4 K:BB across 11 frames is encouraging.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Fans six in return to majors
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Hjelle pitched the bulk of the innings for San Francisco in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader in Milwaukee, allowing one run on three hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out six in five innings in a 4-2 loss. He did not factor into the decision.
Alex Young was the opener for the Giants but was unable to complete the first inning, and Hjelle entered with two outs and Milwaukee already leading 3-0. He scattered three singles and two walks and was removed in the sixth with two outs after hitting Luis Urias -- who later came around to score. It was Hjelle's fourth and best outing in the majors this season, and he now has a 5.73 ERA through 14 innings. He served as San Francisco's 29th man for the doubleheader and is likely to make his next start for Triple-A Sacramento.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Called up as 29th man
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Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to serve as the 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Brewers.
Hjelle made three relief appearances for the Giants earlier this season and gave up six runs while striking out nine in six innings. He's typically worked as a starter for Sacramento this year and could be available to make a spot start or serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for the second game of Thursday's twin bill.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Sent to Sacramento
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Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.
Hjelle was called up Sunday for the third time this season, but he was hit hard by the White Sox and thus will be sent down for a third time.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Takes loss Sunday
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Hjelle (0-1) allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and struck out three in two innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the White Sox.
Hjelle worked as the third pitcher in the game for the Giants. He was likely expected to provide length out of the bullpen, but the White Sox were able to get to him in three straight frames, and he left with no outs and the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Hjelle has allowed six earned runs in six innings across three major-league appearances this year, and he's added a 9:2 K:BB. He's primarily worked as a starter with Triple-A Sacramento, and he could be optioned out soon so the Giants can replenish their bullpen depth.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Call-up official
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The Giants officially recalled Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.
Though John Brebbia is getting the start for the Giants in Sunday's series finale with the White Sox, he's expected to serve as more of an opener than a traditional starter. Hjelle, who struck out six over five scoreless frames in his most recent start for Sacramento on June 26, profiles as a potential primary pitcher out of the bullpen, if the Giants elect to go that route. Depending on how he fares Sunday, Hjelle could stick with the big club on a more permanent basis, as the team has an opening in the rotation with Anthony DeSclafani (knee) recently returning to the injured list.
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Giants' Sean Hjelle: Returning to majors Sunday
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Hjelle will be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Sunday's game against the White Sox, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Hjelle will return to provide length behind starter John Brebbia, who has not pitched more than two innings in an appearance this season. The 6-foot-11 Hjelle pitched five scoreless innings for Sacramento his last time out June 26, allowing two hits while striking out six.
