Giants activate Sergio Romo from disabled list

Remember Sergio Romo?

It’s been a while since Giants fans have seen one of the remaining members of the ‘Core Four’ in the dugout — April 15 of this season, to be exact — but he’s finally back.

A flexor strain to his pitching arm sidelined Romo just nine days into the season. On America’s birthday, Romo was finally activated from 60-day DL. Albert Suarez was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento and Michael Broadway was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Romo was initially placed on the 15-day DL and expected back in early June. But his elbow felt tender during his first three rehab appearances in Sacramento and, when more Giants fell injured, was forced to the 60-day DL.

He made his eighth and final rehab appearance Friday in Sacramento, throwing one inning of one-hit, one-strikeout ball. Romo allowed three runs over 8-1/3 innings during eight Sacramento and San Jose appearances.

Romo makes his long-awaited return to a very young and over-worked Giants bullpen.

Cory Gearrin (3-0, 2.97 ERA), who’s helped take over Romo’s territory in his absence, gave up a game-tying homer in his 40th appearance this season.

Gearrin’s workload ties him for fourth most in the National League. Lefty Josh Osich (1-1, 4.26 ERA) has made 41 appearances, ranking second most in the NL. The Giants (16) rank second behind the Reds (17) in blown saves.

Long story short: A healthy Sergio Romo is a very welcome sight for a pretty dinged-up Giants squad.

Shayna Rubin is SFBay’s San Francisco Giants beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @ShaynaRubin on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of Giants baseball.