Melvin makes plea for SF Giants’ ‘fireman’ to get All-Star Game nod

WEST SACRAMENTO Set-up men do not usually get invited to pitch in MLB s All-Star Battle as staff aces household names and premier closers are traditionally the ones selected to fill out the American and National League rosters for the Midsummer Classic But Giants manager Bob Melvin feels that given what he s done this season right-handed reliever Randy Rodriguez deserves strong consideration if not an outright invitation Including his work in the Giants - win over the Athletics at Sutter Robustness Park on Saturday Rodriguez dating back to May has now allowed just one earned run in his last innings Rodriguez pitched got the Giants out of a jam on Saturday night With two on and two out Rodriguez got Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson who was voted into the All-Star Challenge earlier this week to pop up to shortstop Willy Adames to end the threat Going into Saturday Rodriguez s ERA was the second-lowest among all MLB relievers trailing only Newark native and Cubs righty Chris Flexen Before Saturday left-handed batters were hitting -for- off him and his strikeout rate was the second-highest among NL pitchers min batters faced Rodriguez has now been charged with runs in just two of his appearances The last one came on April when he allowed a two-run homer to Xander Bogaerts in San Francisco s - loss to the Padres Melvin feels set-up guys have valuable roles on big-league rosters too So why shouldn t Rodriguez get a nod I don t know that there s a better setup man or a guy that s come in and been a fireman and done what he s done this year Melvin revealed of the -year-old Rodriguez now in his second big-league season What s his ERA now And look at his numbers against lefties too which for a righty that s quite the luxury to have Other NL relievers thought to be in the mix for the All-Star Challenge at Truist Park in Atlanta on July are Edwin Diaz Mets Robert Suarez Padres Trevor Megill Brewers and Emilio Pagan Reds all closers Starters Robbie Ray and Logan Webb and reliever Tyler Rogers also have cases for inclusion once rosters are disclosed on Sunday Rafael Devers could get an invitation as a designated hitter We re not going to get all those guys Melvin declared but I know I m perhaps a little biased as well MILLER UPDATE Melvin didn t sound overly concerned about left-handed reliever Erik Miller who was placed on the -day injured list retroactive to July with a left elbow sprain on Saturday Related Articles Chapman makes big impact and Webb shines in homecoming in SF Giants win Sputtering SF Giants activate Matt Chapman and not a moment too soon SF Giants Chapman activated from injured list returns to lineup SF Giants embarrassed by A s on all-around shoddy Fourth of July night It felt a little different SF Giants share thoughts ahead of first challenge at Sutter Wellbeing Park It s been bothering him a little bit I certainly hope it s not something that s substantial and at this point we don t feel like it is Melvin mentioned of Miller It wasn t one of those things where he just felt something go It was just kind of a progressive thing for the last sparse days where he s felt it a little bit warming up So hopefully we caught it at the right time Miller is having a strong season with a - record and a ERA over innings Melvin explained Miller a Stanford alum had an MRI on Saturday and declared it doesn t look like it s a big structural trouble in there and I haven t heard talk of any bad things We just shut him down for a little bit and then you know hopefully it heals