Blach is an option to start Saturday against the Pirates, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blach hasn't started a game for the Giants since May. He has a 4.90 ERA in 60.2 innings as a starter this season but a 3.18 ERA in 34 innings of relief.

Blach could re-enter the rotation and start Thursday's game against the Astros, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

When Johnny Cueto (elbow) was placed on the disabled list last week and ultimately required season-ending Tommy John surgery, Chris Stratton was summoned from Triple-A Sacramento to fill the void in the rotation. After Stratton was tagged for six runs on 10 hits and four walks over three innings in his start Aug. 3 against the Diamondbacks, the Giants quickly pulled the plug and optioned him back to Triple-A. So long as he isn't needed out of the bullpen in the club's next two games, Blach makes for the top candidate to replace Stratton. The soft-tossing lefty opened the season in the rotation, but has moved to the bullpen after going 3-5 with a 4.90 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in his 12 starts.

The Giants recalled Blach from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blach was optioned to Sacramento after Wednesday's game, but the Giants apparently decided to put that move on hold for now. He will continue working out of the Giants' bullpen for the time being.

Blach (4-5) threw 6.2 shutout innings and earned the win in relief Thursday, working around seven hits and two walks while striking out three during the Giants' 16-inning win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The former rotation member basically served that role in this one out of the bullpen, as he chewed up innings after Hunter Strickland blew the save in the ninth. He almost finished the game but gave way to Sam Dyson for the final out. Blach should resume his typical bullpen role whenever he's next summoned, but he'll probably need at least a few days of rest before that happens.

Blach will transition to a bullpen role starting Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Chris Stratton and Andrew Suarez named as the starters for Friday and Saturday, Blach will be used as a relief pitcher going forward. He made 12 starts for the Giants in 2018, accruing a 4.96 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and 23 walks over 61.2 innings.

Blach will either start Sunday's game against the Phillies or be confined to a relief role going forward, Henry Schulman of SFGate.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Giants announced that Chris Stratton and Andrew Suarez will start Friday and Saturday, which suggests Blach may be on the outs, as he had been following Stratton. Blach was used out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 11-4 loss in Colorado, which could have just been him throwing in between starts, but now that looks less likely. Rookie Dereck Rodriguez (leg) could be an option to start Sunday if he is deemed healthy, otherwise that start could go to Blach. However, Madison Bumgarner (finger) is expected to rejoin the rotation next week and Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) could be back next weekend, at which point Blach will either join the bullpen full time or be sent to Triple-A.

Blach gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits in a no-decision against the Reds on Tuesday, issuing one strikeout and one walk in four innings.

EDGE Analysis

Blach pitched well Tuesday, but got tagged for two runs following an error and was later lifted for a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded. It was a nice bounce-back effort from his previous start, but still was his shortest outing on the season. Blach was only at 62 pitches when he was lifted in the fourth. The lefty has four quality starts this year, and will face off against the Rockies at home in his next start.

Blach (3-4) was hit with the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk across 4.1 innings Thursday against the Phillies. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

This was a disappointing follow-up start from Blach, who held the Braves to one earned run over 7.2 innings in his previous outing. He was sharp through the first three innings Thursday before ultimately coming undone in the fourth, serving up a three-run homer to Carlos Santana to cap what was a four-run inning for the Phillies. While the southpaw still owns a serviceable 4.20 ERA through nine starts this season, his 25:16 K:BB across 49.1 innings leaves a lot to be desired from a fantasy perspective. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which will come at home against the Reds.

Blach (3-3) picked up the win over the Braves on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits over 7.2 innings while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander threw 71 of 100 pitches for strikes in recording his fourth quality start of 2018. Blach's 22:15 K:BB through 45 innings is far from ideal for fantasy purposes, but he's only given up two homers to keep his ERA at a manageable 3.60. He'll look to stay locked in Thursday in Philadelphia.

Blach (2-3) allowed two runs on six hits and one walk across six innings while earning the win Sunday against the Dodgers. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Blach was stellar through the early going, allowing just one man past first base in the first five innings. He allowed a run on three hits in the sixth, and put the leadoff man on -- who later came in to score -- before he was removed at the start of the seventh. Still, it was a quality start from Blach against one of the better teams in baseball, giving him three in his last five outings. He will look to build on this effort next weekend against the Braves.