SAN FRANCISCO — For just the eighth time this season, the Giants used the same defensive lineup in back-to-back games, although the one that took the field Sunday is one they never could have imagined at the start of the year or even at the trade deadline earlier this month. A notable change is coming, although possibly not for a few more days. Marcelo Mayer likely will continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento for a couple more days, but manager Tony Vitello said he could join the Giants at some point in Cleveland this week.
“Earlier in the season he might have rushed his forearm (rehab) a little bit, so we’ll make sure we’re not doing that,” Vitello said Sunday. “But also, he’ll stack enough at-bats due to the time off that he’s in a comfortable spot. I would say the most ambitious (return) would be the back end of the Cleveland series.”
Returning by Thursday would set up a fascinating subplot to Mayer’s first stint with the Giants. They will visit Fenway Park next weekend for a three-game series, allowing Mayer to face a team that took him fourth overall in the...