SF Giants Press Clips Monday, March 20, 2017

San Francisco Chronicle Giants top prospects Arroyo, Beede sent to minors Henry Schulman

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Infielder knows how to make an exit.

Told in the morning he would be reassigned to minor-league camp, Arroyo waved goodbye loudly in the ninth inning of Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Brewers. He blasted the only pitch he saw in the game for a no-doubt, opposite-field homer against right-hander Tyler Cravy.

"Hopefully I left people here with a smile on their face," Arroyo said as he packed for Indian School Park, where he will prepare for his season, mostly likely at Triple-A Sacramento.

Arroyo is the Giants' top hitting prospect. His pitching counterpart, , also was reassigned.

Both first-round picks will go to Sacramento knowing they could make their big-league debuts in 2017. Beede, 23, has a much better shot than Arroyo. Both seem on track for 2018, although the vagaries of baseball sometimes upset the best-laid plans.

Arroyo did not mash in the Cactus League. The homer was his fifth hit and only extra-base hit in 18 at-bats. He got an extra week in big-league camp because of 's trip to the and used it wisely, working with bench coach and special

1 assistants and Ellis Burks, while picking Jimmy Rollins' brain.

Arroyo would have been happy with his spring even without the homer.

"This is my third camp," he said. "I think they've seen what I can do at as a player. Now it's a matter of getting reps, staying consistent and getting at-bats."

Whether he plays second, third or short this year remains unknown. It depends on the makeup of the Triple-A roster. Arroyo has heeded the organization's advice to "stay versatile."

Beede's spring did yield great results. He lowered his ERA to 0.96 with two shutout innings against the Brewers.

Beede "absolutely" believes he is ready for the majors if summoned, saying, "Mentally, I'm ready to go and prepared."

Although Beede will start for the Giants eventually, manager Bruce Bochy said he could debut in the bullpen, filling a potential team need while limiting the right-hander's innings to some bullets for September and October if he is asked to be this year's Ty Blach.

Pence struggling: Right fielder Hunter Pence was blunt about his hitting this spring. "I've got to get better," Pence said after three hitless at-bats left him with a .125 average. He is 3-for-31 since he doubled in his first Cactus League at-bat. The reason is simple. His timing is off and he has not been able to fix it.

Pence, ever the optimist, said spring training is a "gold mine" because players have so much down time to work behind the scenes to solve their issues.

"Usually it takes one good at-bat," he said. "It takes one good day to get hot, and then you ride that streak.

"I definitely don't want to feel like this when the season starts I know that."

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Pence is not alone. Others riding the "interstate" include Denard Span (.161), Gorkys Hernandez (.121) and Jimmy Rollins (.103). Their ally is time. Opening Day is two weeks away.

Bochy acknowledged several hitters are "searching" and could get extra at-bats in minor-league games.

Briefly: The Giants made two additional cuts, reassigning left-hander Kraig Sitton to minor- league camp and optioning utilityman Orlando Calixte to Triple-A Sacramento. Forty-two players remain in big-league camp. . . . . Third baseman Jae-gyun Hwang played a day after taking a bad-hop to the head during practice. He was held out of Saturday's game to be checked for concussion symptoms. . . . Bochy said Steven Okert has done "all he can" to win a left-handed relief job. Okert has not allowed a run in six Cactus League outings. Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected]: @hankschulman

Brewers 6, Giants 4 Notable: Jeff Samardzija got racked for the second straight start, allowing six runs in four-plus innings, including back-to-back homers. In his past two starts, Samardzija has allowed 13 runs (11 earned) on 17 hits in 7 2/3 innings. Samardzija did strike out Scooter Gennett, Eric Thames and Travis Shaw in order Sunday. . . . Zack Davies, the Brewers' No. 2 starter, retired the first 12 Giants before opened the fifth with a single. Quotable: "I know a lots at stake here, but we've got to be smart about this. I don't want Mac to come out here and be a hero when he's not ready to go." -- Manager Bruce Bochy on outfield candidate Mac Williamson, who has a minor, but ill-timed left quadriceps injury.

Monday's game: Giants vs. White Sox, at Glendale, 1:05 p.m. RADIO: sfgiants.com.

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San Francisco Chronicle Giants’ Denard Span eyes better year after an ice-free offseason John Shea

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Life is good when baseball players can do baseball things in the offseason.

Such as hit and run and hit some more.

As opposed to ice and rehab and ice some more.

Life is good for Denard Span, who seems to be approaching the 2017 season like it’s 2014. In fact, the Giants’ center fielder and leadoff hitter said the offseason was free of rehab for the first time since the offseason leading into the 2014 season.

That 2014 season happened to be one of the best in Span’s career. With the , he hit .302 with a .355 on-base percentage, a league-leading 184 hits, 94 runs and 31 steals.

The 2015 season was a step backward as Span underwent three surgeries and was limited to 61 games. The Giants signed him afterward for hree years and $31 million, and he didn’t exactly play to his standards in his debut season in San Francisco.

“It wasn’t easy not playing up to my capabilities at times,” Span said. “Not being able to do the things I’ve been able to do throughout my career. That was difficult coming to a new team with a new fan base, not being able to showcase my whole skill set.

“The year prior, it seemed every time something bothered me, something surgically needed to be done. Psychologically, it was difficult having three surgeries in a nine- or-10-month span. Coming off hip surgery, I didn’t trust my hip. I didn’t trust my legs.

“Fast forward to last year, it took me a while to trust that I was strong and OK. I didn’t have a full offseason. I know what it takes, how much goes into an offseason, how much goes into preparation when you’re fully healthy to have a successful season.

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“For me not to have that, I felt I was behind the eightball. I never tried to use it as an excuse. I tried to do my best.”

Span, 33, played 143 games last season and stayed off the disabled list, but his numbers were down across the board from 2014, except home runs — he hit a career-high 11.

He felt better physically as the season progressed and hit .287 in the second half (compared with .248 before the All-Star break) and .356 in his final 45 at-bats. The offseason was a delight, and not just because he got married in January, to Anne Schleper, a hockey player who won a silver medal with the U.S. women’s team in the 2014 Olympics.

Span spent time conditioning for baseball, not rehabbing from surgery.

“I feel 10 times better coming into camp than I did last year,” Span said. “I can’t predict the future, but I can say how I feel right now, and I feel good. I predict that it will be a good season for me.”

Regaining his stroke at the end of 2016 was a momentum boost heading into the offseason and 2017.

“I feel like I’m up to speed with everybody else at this time of year,” Span said. “I feel I’m on track. It’s a good feeling not being hurt.”

The spring training numbers aren’t good (.161 in 31 at-bats), but more important is being in a groove for Opening Day on April 2. Span opened Saturday’s game with an infield single and scored on ’s double, and he later tripled to drive in a run.

He’s also looking better in center field.

“The main thing was getting back to my mind-set before I was hurt and remembering the player I was — and still am,” Span said. “It’s not past tense.”

Setting the table

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Denard Span’s year-by-year offensive statistics:

Year Team G OBP SBRuns

2008Twins 93 .38718 70

2009Twins 145.39223 97

2010Twins 153.33126 85

2011Twins 70 .328 6 37

2012Twins 128.34217 71

2013Nationals 153.32720 75

2014Nationals 147.35531 94

2015Nationals 61 .36511 38

2016Giants 143.33112 70

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San Francisco Chronicle Giants’ Samardzija hit hard for second straight outing Henry Schulman

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Starter Jeff Samardzija revealed he was "real close" to joining the U.S. squad for the final round of the World Baseball Classic, but he and the Giants decided against it because his pitching schedule would not align with the tournament's.

That decision was probably best for all parties, because the Shark clearly needs more work.

He was hit hard for the second consecutive start in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Brewers. Samardzija allowed the six runs in four-plus innings, including consecutive homers by Hernan Perez and Kirk Nieuwenhuis in the fourth inning. He did not get an out in the fifth. His four hitters went double, walk, double, single, and three runs scored.

Over his past two games, against the Rangers and Brewers, Samardzija ha allowed 13 runs (11 earned) on 17 hits in 7 2/3 innings.

What's more, the radar readings that appeared on the Giants' TV broadcast often had him at 89-90 mph, well below normal.

That can be a sign of injury or "dead arm" fatigue, which often afflicts starters in spring training. But Samardzija said his health is fine. His catcher, Nick Hundley, and manager Bruce Bochy noticed nothing amiss with the ball leaving Samardzija's hand.

Samardzija even said he liked his outing until his rough final inning.

"Those last three hitters taint your day a bit," he said. "They leave a bad taste in your mouth. That's OK. It gives you something to go back to look at and understand you probably need to increase your endurance a bit, and you probably need to be stronger between 60-70 pitches."

That Samardzija was pitching on a 96-degree day might have affected his endurance, and the radar gun seemed off for several .

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Derek Law, who usually throws in the mid-90s, was clocked in the 90-mph range. Also, some of Samardzija's pitches were cutters, which he does not throw as hard. Stuff did not seem to be an issue when Samardzija struck out Scooter Gennett, Eric Thames and Travis Shaw in order in the third inning.

Samardzija mislocated a lot of pitches, too.

"We just left the ball in the middle of the plate too many times on those doubles, which you've got to avoid," he said. "Keep those as singles and keep guys in double-play scenarios. Being a sinkerballer guy, you can get out of them. But when you're putting a guy on second right out of the gates you're usually battling after that."

Bochy said Samardzija's pitches were "a little flat today. He hasn't been as sharp. The numbers show it. He made some mistakes and they didn't miss them."

Samardzija still has time to refine before the season. He will not do so in a Team USA uniform.

He was not keen on going to the tournament as a starter or reliever, not knowing when he might pitch. He is not scheduled to throw again until Friday, after the WBC is over.

"You want to get ready for the season," he said. "That's the most important thing. If it would have shaped up where we could have pitched in a game on a day I started, it would have worked out nice."

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San Francisco Chronicle Giants’ Melancon to join U.S. team at the WBC Henry Schulman

COTTSDALE, Ariz. — As Giants came to work Sunday morning, teammates Jimmy Rollins and Nick Hundley greeted him with a rousing chant of “USA! USA!” Cueto smiled as he walked to his locker.

The United States’ 6-3 victory in San Diego on Saturday night eliminated the Dominican Republic from the World Baseball Classic and sent the Americans to a semifinal game against Japan on Tuesday night.

Cueto now stays in Giants camp — he had planned to join the Dominican team if it won Saturday to advance — but Mark Melancon is leaving for Los Angeles. He will join the American team, which includes teammates Brandon Crawford and , for the final championship push.

Before Sunday’s game at Scottsdale Stadium, Melancon and Cueto each offered unsolicited and revealing comments about the tournament, which will end with Wednesday’s championship game.

Cueto expressed how much he wanted to play and revealed he was shredded back home and called a “traitor” on social media for not participating in the first two rounds, even though it was widely known he missed three weeks of spring training while taking care of his sick father in the Dominican.

Melancon said he has a new perspective on the fervor among fans from other countries.

“Knowing most of the guys in these games, it’s fun just to watch the country pride that they have,” Melancon said. “To me, some of it is ridiculous, but when you know them and understand their backgrounds, and know how big a deal this is culturally, you end up on board the way they go about things.

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“There’s a lot of flair in the Latin countries, and many times we take it as disrespect. But I’ve actually gotten on board and appreciate it.”

Melancon declined the U.S.’s initial invitation to participate. He said he wanted to represent his country but felt an “allegiance” to the Giants after signing his four-year, $62 million contract.

Now that he knows the Giants’ coaching staff and his new teammates, and has thrown seven scoreless outings in the Cactus League, he feels more comfortable leaving for a few days and competing for something that counts.

“It’s a good bridge to the season,” he said.

Cueto also wanted to pitch for his country but did not pitch competitively until March 11 because of his dad’s illness.

“There was a lot of talk back home that I didn’t want to pitch,” Cueto said, through translator Erwin Higueros. Cueto was accused of abandoning his country because of how much money he makes, or not wanting to make the effort.

“Everybody should know I didn’t want to go because I was not ready to pitch at that level,” Cueto said. “I reported late and couldn’t put my baseball career in jeopardy.”

In fact, Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti said Cueto would not have been able to throw the maximum 95 pitches per game in the WBC’s final round.

Melancon will not have to throw that many should he relieve in the semifinal and final games. He is a huge addition for a team that struggled in some of the later innings over the first two rounds, before Pat Neshek, Tyler Clippard, Sam Dyson and Luke Gregerson combined to hold the Dominican Republic’s dangerous lineup to one run over the final five innings in Saturday’s elimination game at Petco Park.

A victory Tuesday would place the United States in the championship game for the first time, against the winner of Monday’s semifinal between Puerto Rico and the Netherlands, whose

10 manager is Giants hitting coach Hensley Meulens.

Melancon has pictured himself getting the final three outs in the title game. He then might bust out some celebration shenanigans.

“I’m going to have a lot of flair afterward, too,” he said, smiling. “I’m going to combine all of them, from the bow and arrow, to unbuttoning my shirt and jumping around like we just won the World Series.”

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected]: @hankschulman

WBC semifinals At Los Angeles (games at 6 p.m., MLB Network)

Monday: Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico Tuesday: United States vs. Japan

San Jose Mercury Mews Tyler Beede’s time is coming soon with Giants-and perhaps in a surprising role Andrew Baggarly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Giants are pondering a few important questions as it relates to top pitching prospect Tyler Beede.

His big league readiness is not among them.

After five solid exhibition performances in which he posted a 0.96 ERA, Beede packed his duffel bag for minor league camp. There’s an excellent chance he will make his major league debut at some point this season. And it might be in an unexpected role.

Beede could be called up as a reliever, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

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“We have the confidence to use him at any point, and not just starting,” Bochy said. “We wouldn’t hesitate to use him in the ‘pen. I’m not saying that’s what he’s going to do. It keeps his options open. He’s at 94-95 (mph). He holds runners well. He does a lot of things (as a reliever) that you like.”

A couple of weeks here and there as a reliever could serve a dual purpose. It would allow the Giants to monitor Beede’s workload. The former first-round pick has thrown 124 2/3 and 147 1/3 innings in his previous two minor league seasons. A total in the 165-170 inning range would be close to ideal. And the Giants would like Beede to have some wiggle room in September, when he could be more than a courtesy call-up. It wouldn’t be too different than what other contending clubs have done with some of their top pitching prospects. The went to a six-man rotation in an effort to space out ’s starts last season.

For Beede, the only thing more exciting than making his major league debut would be to pitch in a pennant race.

“I think they want to make sure I’m ready to go maybe later in the year, in September, be fresh then,” Beede said. “So it’s been a great spring and I’ll just continue to build on that. I’ve got a lot to work on, but I’m very happy with where I’m at. They voiced that, too, which felt encouraging.”

Beede wasn’t a central candidate to open as the No.5 starter. The Giants would like to give the first crack at holding down that job, with left-hander Ty Blach a confident fallback if it becomes clear that their respected former staff ace is no longer able to pitch at a competitive level.

But Beede’s time is coming, and soon. He’ll be able to get stretched out in minor league camp after mostly backing up other starters with two-inning appearances in Cactus League exhibitions. Beede allowed one run in 9 1/3 innings over his five outings. He pitched well in traffic, scattering 10 hits and four walks while striking out five.

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“You know what? It’s been neat to watch his progress,” Bochy said. “He’s a four-pitch guy and I think he made some noise.”

Said Beede: “I wouldn’t say just because the stats are good I feel happy with it. I’ve felt particularly sharp just based on this point of the year. My pitches are around the plate. I feel sharp with my offspeed pitches. It’s encouraging to see where my stuff’s at based on the swings and based on what catchers have been saying. It’s nice to just set a good impression.”

The Giants also reassigned their top hitting prospect, infielder Christian Arroyo, who is expected to join Beede to open the season at Triple-A Sacramento.

Arroyo’s last act was to crush an opposite-field in the ninth inning of the Giants’ 6-4 exhibition loss to the at Scottsdale Stadium.

“Hopefully I left people here with a smile on their face,” Arroyo said.

The Giants must figure out how to juggle playing time at third base between Arroyo and Jae- gyun Hwang, assuming the former KBO All-Star doesn’t make the big league roster. Arroyo said coaches told him to be ready to play multiple positions, much as he did last year for Double-A Richmond.

Arroyo, 21, was one of the youngest players in Double-A last season. He hit .278 in 18 at-bats this spring – not quite the same torrid run from last year’s shorter stay in big league camp. He was glad to get a little extra time this spring, and he used it to soak up knowledge from non- roster invitee Jimmy Rollins, special assistant Will Clark, bench coach Ron Wotus and instructor Ellis Burks.

“I got an extra week this year, so that was fun,” Arroyo said. “But it’s time for me to get some more consistent at-bats. This is my third camp so I think they kind of know what I’m about as a player. From here it’s about getting my reps in.”

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San Jose Mercury News Giants Notes Andrew Baggarly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Mac Williamson is out of action because of a tight left quadriceps, all but ending a left field competition that Jarrett Parker had pretty much locked down anyway.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said the injury was minor but trainers were insisting that Williamson be cautious with it.

“I know a lot is at stake here, but we’ve got to be smart about this,” Bochy said. “I don’t want Mac to try to be a hero when that thing isn’t ready to go.”

Williamson hasn’t done anything this spring to lose the competition with Parker. He is batting .324 with two home runs in 34 at-bats. But Parker had a major edge at the outset, since he was out of minor league options while Williamson still had one remaining. Still, there is plenty at stake for Williamson this spring as he attempts to show his growth as a hitter – especially against right-handed pitching. The more forceful the impression he makes, the less management and coaches will hesitate to bring him up if Hunter Pence winds up on the disabled list or Parker has a protracted slump.

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Pence is so determined to avoid injuries after two seasons marred by them that he is making changes to his routine, taking the advice of a team-hired sleep specialist and cutting out caffeine after noon. That’s a major sacrifice for a guy who geeks out on the coffeehouse scene and chugs cold brew by the liter.

The problem thus far: he’s not feeling much of a buzz at the plate. Pence is hitting .125 (4 for 32), and he acknowledged that he isn’t feeling good at the plate. Bochy said Pence could get extra at-bats in a minor league camp game, where he could lead off every inning.

“The good news is I feel healthy, and the other good news is that it’s still spring training,” Pence said. “But I’ve got to be better. I’ll keep plugging away till I get it right. I definitely don’t want to be feeling like this when the season starts. I know that.”

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Bochy said it’s possible that closer Mark Melancon could pitch on back-to-back days for Team USA, in the event the Americans beat Japan on Tuesday and advance to Wednesday’s final of the World Baseball Classic. “Oh sure,” Bochy said. “He’s ready.”

Melancon, who is unscored upon in eight innings this spring, left Giants camp to join Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and the rest of the American team in Los Angeles.

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Jeff Samardzija’s stuff was flat as he allowed six runs on nine hits (two homers) in four innings during the Giants’ 6-4 exhibition loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday. Samardzija didn’t retire any of the four batters he faced in the fifth, and acknowledged that the 90-degree heat might have sapped his stamina.

Samardzija has an 11.12 ERA this spring but nobody in camp is expressing concern over his readiness. He even said he would have joined Team USA for the World Baseball Classic if the tournament games better matched up with his throwing schedule to start the season.

Washington’s Tanner Roark will start Tuesday’s semifinal game against Japan.

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Of the non-roster invitees in camp, three would receive $100,000 retention bonuses if they remain with the club past March 28: infielder Gordon Beckham, right-hander David Hernandez and infielder . The bonuses would be in addition to their negotiated salaries.

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Third baseman Jae-gyun Hwang returned to action one day after taking a bad-hop grounder off his head. He also shared a bear hug on the field with the Brewers’ Eric Thames, a Bellarmine Prep alum, whom Hwang defeated in the Korean Baseball Organization home run derby in 2015. … Left-hander Steven Okert remained unscored upon in six appearances this spring, and is looking like a solid bet to make the opening-day bullpen. … In addition to right-hander Tyler Beede and infielder Christian Arroyo, the Giants made two other cuts: they optioned infielder Orlando Calixte and reassigned left-hander Kraig Sitton to minor league camp.

San Jose Mercury News While Johnny Cueto answers critics, Mark Melancon leaves to join Team USA Andrew Baggarly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Closer Mark Melancon is leaving to join Team USA for the final round of the World Baseball Classic, while another pitcher in Giants camp is left to deal with disappointment and deflect the carping of critics. Johnny Cueto said he would have pitched Tuesday’s semifinal game for the Dominican Republic against Japan, had his country beaten Team USA on Saturday to advance to the final round.

Instead, he is hearing it from fans back home for not participating earlier in the tournament – even though it’s well documented that the right-hander reported late because of his father’s health issues.

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“There’s a lot of talk back home that I didn’t want to pitch for the Dominican team because I’m making too much money,” Cueto said. “Why? There are players making more money than me, like (Robinson) Canó.

“Everybody should know I didn’t go because I wasn’t ready to pitch at that level. I reported late and I couldn’t just go out there and put my baseball career in jeopardy because my arm wasn’t ready.”

“I truly wanted to represent my country. I’m sure that goes for everybody who wants to represent their flag.”

Cueto can opt out of the final four seasons of his contract after the season, making this in essence a walk year for the All-Star pitcher. But he has insisted that his reasons for putting off the Dominican team were not related to financial reasons.

Cueto’s shoulder-dipping mound improvisation would’ve been quite a show against an accomplished Japenese squad. He said he had reviewed video of their hitters and was mentally gearing up for the assignment. Instead of taking the mound Tuesday at Dodger Stadium against Japan, Cueto will pitch in an exhibition game for the Giants against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch on Monday.

Melancon will leave the club to join Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford – a trio of Giants teammates who are sure to be treated to rare cheers at Dodger Stadium.

Melancon said he watched most of Team USA’s victory Sunday night, and admired the way that right-hander Luke Gregerson nailed down the final three outs to record a save and punch the Americans through to the final four.

He already had pledged to join Manager Jim Leyland’s squad for the final round, and said the only reason he hadn’t taken part earlier was because of the obligation he felt to the Giants after signing a four-year, $62 million contract.

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“I really wanted to go. I just didn’t think it was appropriate,” Melancon said. “My allegiance was here. Given the time frame of spring training, I’ve gotten to know my teammates here and the staff, and I’ve gotten eight innings under my belt. At this point, it’s a good bridge to the season.”

Melancon is unscored upon in eight outings. He becomes the most accomplished reliever in the American bullpen, and while he made no assumptions over what inning he might be asked to pitch, he acknowledged daydreaming about recording the clinching out.

He might even celebrate the way players from Latin American countries do, saying that watching the tournament has changed his perspective on those who express themselves with “flair.”

“I’ll have flair, too,” he said. “Do the bow and arrow, unbutton the shirt, and jump around like you just won the World Series.”

Team USA has never reached the final game of the tournament in the three times it has been staged since 2009. If they get past Japan on Tuesday, they would face the winner of Netherlands (managed by Giants hitting coach Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens” and Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

Giants right-hander Jeff Samardzija also was on Team USA’s provisional list to be eligible for the final round, but he won’t participate. Samardzija is scheduled to start Sunday’s exhibition game against the Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium.

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MLB.com Giants stymied as Samardzija allows 6 runs Chris Haft

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Milwaukee right-hander Zach Davies maintained a perfect game through four innings Sunday as the Brewers downed the , 6-4, in a Cactus League exhibition. Davies, Milwaukee's projected No. 2 starter who entered the game with a 7.27 ERA, lost his perfecto when Brandon Belt singled to open the fifth inning. Eduardo Nunez added an infield single, but Davis escaped the inning unscathed. He ultimately lasted 5 1/3 innings, walking none and striking out six.

"Zach was really sharp today, he was efficient, just a productive day for him," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "Pitching into the sixth inning, really good tuneup. We feel like no matter what happens from here out, he's ready to go." By contrast, Giants starter Jeff Samardzija lasted four batters into the fifth inning and yielded six runs and nine hits, including five for extra bases. Samardzija's most significant tormentors were Scooter Gennett , who opened the game with his first of two doubles, and Hernan Perez and Kirk Nieuwenhuis , who homered back-to-back in the fourth inning.

Milwaukee's three-run outburst in the fifth inning finished Samardzija, who has allowed a team- high five home runs this spring.

"Those last [few] hitters really taint your day a little bit and leave a bad taste in your mouth," said Samardzija, whose ERA climbed to 11.12. Gordon Beckham 's RBI single got the Giants on the board in the seventh, and Giants No. 2 prospect Christian Arroyo hit a two-run homer in the ninth.

Davies said he was aware he was perfect through four innings, though he didn't alter his approach because of it.

"It's not something that's not on your mind," said Davies, who also legged out an infield hit in the first game Milwaukee allowed its pitchers to bat. "I was paying attention to how the game went. You get in the zone and you don't really worry about that kind of stuff."

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Davies, who will make two more starts in Spring Training, said he's ready for the regular season to begin and he can't wait to make his first Opening Day roster.

"It's been an awesome experience this spring," Davies said. "It's nice to know that I'm going to be there for Opening Day and it's kind of an accomplishment on my end that I can finally check off. It was something that I was looking forward to." Brewers Up Next: The Brewers have a scheduled off-day Tuesday and then return to action Wednesday, when they travel to Camelback Ranch to play the Dodgers. Matt Garza will start for Milwaukee, with Keon Broxton (wrist) and Domingo Santana (hip) expected to return to the lineup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT. Giants Up Next: Johnny Cueto will make his second Cactus League start and his third Spring outing overall Monday when he confronts the Chicago White Sox on Monday in a 1:05 p.m. PT encounter. Cueto's most recent outing was in a Minor League exhibition last Wednesday.

MLB.com Melancon to join USA for Classic semifinal Chris Haft

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Mark Melancon sensed the time was right to make his next potential trip from the bullpen not on behalf of his team, but for his country. The Giants' closer left the ballclub Sunday to join the U.S. team for its semifinal showdown Tuesday against Japan in the World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium (9 p.m. ET onMLB Network and MLB.TV ).

Teams reaching the Classic's third round are allowed to make changes to their pitching staffs by selecting reinforcements from a provisional roster. The addition of Melancon, who converted 47 saves in 51 opportunities for the Pirates and Nationals last year, ostensibly strengthens the U.S. bullpen. The World Baseball Classic runs through Wednesday. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch , while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed

19 internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com .

Melancon comprehended the potential impact of his presence on the U.S. squad. But after capitalizing on free agency to sign a four-year, $62 million deal with the Giants last December, the right-hander figured he should assimilate himself with his new team before considering a Classic stint. Making seven scoreless appearances for the Giants in Cactus League play helped Melancon gain enough comfort to take this detour in his preseason preparation.

"I really wanted to go. I just didn't feel like [initially] it was appropriate given the time frame and signing here," said Melancon, 31.

Melancon said as he watched Saturday's telecast of the Americans' 6-3 triumph over the Dominican Republic that put them in the semis, he already knew he would depart for Los Angeles if Team USA advanced. "It's a good bridge to the season," said Melancon, who'll join a pair of Giants teammates in the U.S. contingent, catcher Buster Posey and shortstop Brandon Crawford .

Melancon said he has watched many of the World Baseball Classic telecasts and appreciated the nationalistic fervor expressed therein. For some, that became a source of humor. Giants catcher Nick Hundley and infielder Jimmy Rollins mocked Johnny Cueto by jumping around him and chanting "U-S-A!" when the Dominican right-hander entered the clubhouse Sunday. Cueto, who would have joined the Dominican squad had it defeated the U.S., took to Twitter to depict himself howling with glee over the Dominicans' comeback victory over the U.S. last Saturday.

Cueto didn't mind being teased.

"They're just having a good time," Cueto said through interpreter Erwin Higueros.

If anything stung Cueto, it was accusations from fellow Dominicans who claimed he resisted playing for the team because his six-year, $130 million contract drained his desire to play.

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Cueto responded to this criticism by citing the facts: As Spring Training began, he was preoccupied with helping his ill father, Domingo, obtain the proper documentation to travel with him to the U.S. to obtain improved health care. Though Cueto tried to keep his arm limber by throwing at the Giants' training complex in Boca Chica, D.R., he couldn't truly work toward being in game shape until he arrived here March 4.

"I truly wanted to represent my country," Cueto said. "I also reported late and I couldn't just put my baseball career in jeopardy. ... Everybody should know I didn't go because I wasn't ready to play at that level."

MLB.com Giants send down promising Arroyo, Beede Chris Haft

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants announced Sunday that infielder Christian Arroyo and right- hander Tyler Beede were reassigned to Minor League camp. Both left their mark before departing. Arroyo, the organization's top position-player prospect , drilled a two-run, opposite-field homer to right in the ninth inning, making the final score in the Giants' 6-4 exhibition loss to Milwaukee more respectable. Beede, the Giants' No. 1 overall prospect, worked two scoreless innings.

Both are likely headed for Triple-A Sacramento -- one step away from the Majors, which they seem destined to reach. Arroyo, ranked 89th in MLBPipeline.com's list of baseball's top 100 prospects , hit .278 (5-for- 18) in Cactus League games and rarely looked overmatched. For now, said Arroyo, "it's time for me to get some ABs and get ready for the season."

Beede, rated No. 88 by MLBPipeline.com, posted a 0.96 ERA, allowing one run in 9 1/3 innings over five appearances. Groomed as a , Beede could be tried in relief -- which is often how clubs accelerate the process of developing a starter.

"He's a four-pitch guy. We have the confidence to use him at any point," Giants manager Bruce

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Bochy said, citing Beede's mid-90s velocity. "I'm not saying [relieving] is what he's going to do, but it keeps his options open and ours, if we need some help in the 'pen." The Giants also reassigned left-hander Kraig Sitton to Minor League camp and optioned infielder Orlando Calixte to Triple-A Sacramento. The moves left 42 players on the spring roster. • Jeff Samardzija endured his second straight subpar start, allowing all six of Milwaukee's runs and nine hits while lasting four batters into the fifth inning.

"It gives you something to look back on and understand that you probably need to increase your endurance a little bit," said Samardzija, who has yielded 11 earned runs and 17 hits in 7 2/3 innings spanning his last two starts. Said Bochy, "He wasn't flat, but his pitches were." • Mac Williamson is sidelined indefinitely after sustaining a strained left quadriceps muscle. Bochy emphasized that Williamson, who's competing with Jarrett Parker for the left- field vacancy, must not be rushed back into action.

"I know a lot's at stake here," said Bochy. "We have to be smart about this." • Right fielder Hunter Pence went 0-for-3, dipping his batting average to .125.

"He's still searching. It's pretty obvious," said Bochy, who suggested that Pence and any other hitter needing extra work might be asked to participate in a Minor League exhibition or two to sharpen his stroke.

CSNbayarea.com Giants prospects Beede, Arroyo impress in final hours in big league camp Alex Pavlovic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Before Sunday's game, the Giants reassigned Christian Arroyo and Tyler Beede to minor league camp. The organization's top two prospects made sure to make big impressions on the way out of Scottsdale Stadium.

Beede pitched two shutout innings, lowering his Cactus League ERA to 0.96. Arroyo went the opposite way in the ninth inning for his first homer of the spring.

The front office has not set a timetable on either player's arrival in San Francisco, but both are expected to push for summer or September promotions from Triple-A Sacramento. Manager

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Bruce Bochy added an interesting wrinkle to Beede's case Sunday, saying the staff has discussed using the right-hander out of the bullpen at some point.

"I'm not saying that's what he's going to do, but it keeps his options open and ours if we need help in the 'pen," Bochy said. "He's at 94-95 (mph) and he's a guy that holds runners well. He's a guy with good stuff."

Beede said earlier this month that he's intrigued by the possibility of helping the Giants down the stretch as a reliever, but for now his focus remains on getting stretched out. He entered camp as the seventh starter in the organization and did nothing but help his cause. Over five spring appearances, Beede allowed nine hits and one run in 9 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out five, and coaches raved about the presence he showed on the mound a year after he appeared to be nervous during spring outings.

“I’m happy with it,” Beede said. “It went way better than I expected in terms of comfortability and how sharp I felt. For the most part, you want to make sure you leave a good impression so they know what they’ve got if there is the possibility of being called up.”

Beede felt he didn’t do that last spring, but he shook it off to post a 2.81 ERA for Double-A Richmond. That showed Bochy something. The last month showed him even more.

“It’s been neat to watch his progression in the past year,” he said. “Last year, he did a good job in Richmond. The velocity picked up. He’s a four-pitch guy. I think he made enough noise that we’re confident that we can use him at any point.”

Shortly after Beede made his final case, Arroyo left a lasting mark. His homer to deep right raised his average in big league camp to .278. Over three springs at Scottsdale Stadium, Arroyo is now 19-for-44 with three homers. He took the news in stride, saying it’s time to get regular playing time. Arroyo will continue to play second, short and third for Sacramento, with the idea that he could be a midseason fill-in if injuries pop up.

“I got an extra week this year, so that was fun, but it’s time for me to get some more consistent at-bats and go back over to the minor league side,” he said. “Hopefully I left the people here with a smile on their face.”

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CSNbayarea.com Giants spring training day 35 Alex Pavlovic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants have watched with pride as Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford have helped lead Team USA to the final round of the World Baseball Classic, but back in Arizona, the plate appearances haven’t been quite as fruitful.

After a 6-4 loss to the Brewers during which many of his regulars continued to struggle, manager Bruce Bochy said some veterans could head down to minor league camp over the next week to get six or seven at-bats in one game. Bochy said the final decision is up to the veteran players, but it’s not hard to figure out who he’s talking about. In Sunday’s lineup, there were two starters (Hunter Pence and Denard Span), a potential backup outfielder (Gorkys Hernandez) and a reserve infielder candidate (Jimmy Rollins) hitting under .200.

Span has started to pick it up in recent days, but Pence was hitless in three at-bats, dropping his average to .125.

“He’s still searching, it’s pretty obvious. He’s still searching,” Bochy said. “We’ve got some guys who are searching. You can look at the numbers.”

The positive news is that Pence is healthy. Also, spring training numbers don’t matter at all for veterans who are locked in for Opening Day. Still, Pence would like to see some better results before the April 2 opener at Chase Field.

“Hopefully I can figure it out before the lights go on,” he said. “I definitely don’t want to be feeling like this when the season starts, I know that.”

The results weren’t much better on the mound Sunday. Jeff Samardzija gave up nine hits and six runs in four-plus innings.

“The pitches were a little flat today, there’s no getting around it,” Bochy said.

ROSTER CUTS: Tyler Beede and Christian Arroyo were sent down to minor league camp , where they’ll probably join up with and and others to form a loaded Triple-A team. The Giants also reassigned lefty Kraig Sitton and optioned Orlando Calixte to Triple-A.

ICYMI : Mark Melancon is officially headed to the World Baseball Classic . Also in that story, Johnny Cueto’s reaction to some fans back home calling him a traitor.

TRAINER’S ROOM: Mac Williamson has been sidelined this weekend by left quad tightness. It’s

24 not serious (Williamson blasted four straight homers during one of his BP rounds) but the Giants are going to be careful here. Obviously, the timing sucks for a guy who was having a good spring and was trying to win a job. There’s nothing standing between Jarrett Parker and an Opening Day look at .

FAMILIAR FACE: Andrew Susac didn’t make the trip with the Brewers. He’s sidelined by a neck issue, and it sounds like that could hurt his chances of winning a three-guys-for-two-spots camp battle. Brewers people think he’s on the outside looking in.

QUOTABLE : “No, not at all. Not at all. We’ve seen what he’s done for the years he’s been here and how he steps up in those big situations in the playoffs. That’s what we have him for.” — Matt Cain, when asked during a recent interview if Bumgarner’s wild card performance surprised him. You can listen to that podcast online here or on iTunes here.

CSNbayarea.com Giants closer Melancon to join Team USA for WBC semifinal Alex Pavlovic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants waited too long to add closer Mark Melancon. Team USA isn't making the same mistake.

Melancon will join teammates Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford at Dodger Stadium this week for the final two games of the World Baseball Classic. The first-year Giant was added to the roster after the first round, and he said that was done with the understanding he would join for the semifinals if Team USA reached that point.

"I've watched a lot. I've enjoyed it. Knowing most of the guys in the games, it's been fun to watch the country pride that they have," Melancon said. "To me, some of it is ridiculous, but when you know them and understand their background and how big a deal culturally it is, you end up starting to get on board with the way they go about things."

Melancon was asked to be part of the original roster, but he wanted to get comfortable with his new team. In eight spring innings, he hasn't allowed a run. He said he has started to think about how exciting it might be to close out a title run for his country, joking that he'll unbutton his shirt and flash the bow-and-arrow celebration.

Either way, the Giants were losing a star pitcher after Saturday's game, a 6-3 win for the United States. If the Dominican Republic had won, Johnny Cueto would have pitched the semifinal game Tuesday night. Cueto was watching video of Japan earlier in the week and was excited to use his quick-pitches and shimmies to disrupt high leg kicks. When he walked into the

25 clubhouse Sunday morning, Cueto was greeted with a "USA! USA!" chant. He smiled and laughed.

"This is a game, and you have to know how to win and lose," he said. "I know some fans and players felt I didn't want to go but they know why I couldn't."

Cueto was supposed to be part of the Dominican team throughout the tournament, but he was three weeks late to camp while taking care of his ill father. He said he took some heat back home, and he had to block a few people on Twitter and Instagram because he was being called a traitor.

"There was a lot of talk back home that I didn't want to play because I'm making too much money," he said. "They're saying that when other players like (Robinson) Cano who are making more than that are participating. Everyone should know that I didn't go because I wasn't ready. My arm wasn't ready. I truly wanted to represent my country."

ESPN.com Hensley Meulens wants MLB managerial job after WBC showing Jerry Crasnick

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Hensley Meulens has received positive reviews for his communication skills and upbeat approach while leading the Netherlands to two straight extended runs in the World Baseball Classic.

As the Dutch team prepares to play Puerto Rico in the WBC semifinals Monday night at Dodger Stadium, he's hoping that MLB front offices with managerial openings this winter will be taking notes.

Meulens, who has contributed to three World Series victories since taking over as San Francisco Giants hitting coach in 2010, is up-front about his desire to run a major league club someday. If his success with the Netherlands squad is a springboard to a more prominent role, it will be a welcome fringe benefit to the experience. "I'm ready,'' Meulens said Saturday before a tuneup game between the Netherlands and the . "Hopefully this can open some eyes and at least give me an interview so teams can see if I'm worth it or not. "If I didn't want to manage, I would say, 'No big deal.' But it's a big deal. The best athletes in the sport are playing and competing for the same thing, and I get to manage our guys. If I didn't have a rapport with them, it would be hard to get them to play the way they're playing. They're playing all out. They all want to win this thing together -- not for me, but for us. For the country.''

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Meulens, 49, played seven seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder with the , Montreal Expos and Arizona Diamondbacks from 1989 to '98. He was the first Curacao native to reach the majors and generated attention for his entertaining nickname, "Bam Bam.'' Meulens speaks five languages -- English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Japanese -- and received the Netherlands' equivalent of knighthood in 2012, when he was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau by Queen Beatrix. A 2015 online profile referred to him as "the most interesting man in baseball.'' Along with his work for the Giants, Meulens has led the Netherlands to consecutive semifinal berths in the WBC in 2013 and this spring. He also spent three years managing in winter ball in Venezuela.

Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones, a member of the Netherlands' WBC coaching staff, said Meulens is both ready and capable of running a big league club and having success. A Dutch squad led by the offensive production of Wladimir Balentien, Jurickson Profar and Didi Gregorius has won four of six games to advance to the final four at Dodger Stadium. "No doubt,'' Jones said. "He's just so positive. He basically takes all the blame when things go wrong, and that's what good managers do. He takes charge. He puts all the negative on himself and tries to put all the positive on the players.

"He's a winner. I hope one day he makes it. He has the desire and the fire in himself to do it. It's just about getting the opportunity to get that interview and get that chance.''

Meulens isn't the only member of manager Bruce Bochy's San Francisco staff who has attracted attention as a managerial prospect. Bochy and Brian Sabean, the Giants' executive vice president of baseball operations, have consistently touted bench coach Ron Wotus, pitching coach Dave Righetti and Meulens as candidates with the résumés and attributes to make the jump.

While Wotus has interviewed for managing jobs with the Pirates, Dodgers, Mariners, Rays and Nationals only to lose out to other candidates, Meulens is still waiting for his first interview.

"It's been known that a few of us want to manage,'' Meulens said. "[Bochy] has been putting it out there, too. In that sense, it's a little frustrating not getting interviews. But I've got to wait and be patient. You don't want to take [a job with] any team and be out after two years because you didn't have the personnel to have a good year.

"Hopefully this will trigger some interviews this offseason. If not, I have a great job. I'm working with some of best hitters in the game on a daily basis, and I love doing that too. It's been a great run in San Francisco. If things don't work out, I'm fine where I'm at.''

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