Littell was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After giving up two earned runs over two-thirds of an inning and being visibly upset when he was pulled from Monday's victory over Atlanta, Littell is headed for the minor leagues. Thomas Szapucki was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Littell (3-3) earned the win Sunday over the Cubs, allowed two hits and striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Littell was in the game when Thairo Estrada's solo home run in the seventh inning put the Giants ahead. Through five outings in September, Littell's allowed four runs in five innings, though those all came in one outing against the Dodgers on Wednesday. The right-hander has posted a 4.74 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 43.2 innings overall in a low-leverage role.

Littell (2-3) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Littell gave up the go-ahead run on an RBI double to Trea Turner, then yielded a three-run home run to Max Muncy. Littell hadn't given up more than one run in any of his previous nine appearances since returning from an oblique injury in August. The ugly outing Wednesday lifted his season ERA to 5.01 with a 1.33 WHIP, 36:12 K:BB, one save and four holds through 41.1 innings.

Littell (2-2) earned the win Saturday over the Phillies, retiring the only batter he faced in the contest.

EDGE Analysis

Littell was in the right place at the right time for the win. Scott Alexander allowed the Phillies to tie the score in the sixth inning, but Littell stranded Jean Segura on second base and the Giants retook the lead in their half of the frame. Since returning from an oblique injury, Littell has given up two runs across 8.2 innings through eight appearances, adding one save and one hold in that span. He's posted a 4.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB through 39 innings overall, mainly serving in a middle-relief role.

Littell pitched a perfect 11th inning to earn the save in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Littell was the seventh reliever the Giants deployed in this contest, and he was able to lock things down after Wilmer Flores' sacrifice fly put them ahead in the top of the 11th. Littell has covered three scoreless innings in two appearances since returning from an oblique injury Wednesday. He has a 4.59 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB across 33.1 innings this year, though he's only added one save and three holds as more of a low-leverage reliever. As such, he shouldn't be considered likely to see many additional save chances.

Littell (oblique) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Littell sustained a left oblique strain in early July and spent just over a month on the injured list, but he was in the minors on a rehab assignment for two and a half weeks. The right-hander posted a 4.05 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 6.2 innings over seven rehab appearances and will rejoin the Giants' bullpen ahead of Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Littell's (oblique) rehab assignment was transferred from Single-A San Jose to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Across those two levels of the minors, Littell has allowed three hits and a walk while striking out three in four scoreless innings through four rehab appearances. Given the results so far, the right-hander doesn't seem too far away from rejoining the Giants.

Littell (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A San Jose on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Littell has been on the injured list since early July due to his left oblique strain but is closing in on a return. It's not yet clear how many rehab appearances the right-hander will require before he's able to rejoin the Giants' bullpen, but it's possible that he'll be activated as early as next week.

Littell landed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left oblique strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Littell was recalled Thursday and walked four batters in 1.1 innings of relief against the Padres the next day. Those command issues now look like they were injury-related. It's not yet clear how much time he's expected to miss.

Littell was recalled by the Giants on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jose Alvarez (elbow) was placed on the injured list, creating a need in the bullpen. Littell will fill that void, and he's managed a 4.97 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB across 29 innings with the Giants on the season.