The early returns from the Giants’ recent rotation swap certainly seem promising. Hayden Birdsong, who made his first start of the season after replacing Jordan Hicks in the starting five, allowed onl

Not only were Zebby Matthews, Mick Abel and Noah Cameron called up, finding varying degrees of success, but the Giants also announced that flamethrower Hayden Birdsong would be shifting from the bullpen to the starting rotation.

The Giants are still quite far from turning these young, superlative fastballs into sustainable success but the early signs are promising.

SAN FRANCISCO — Hayden Birdsong of the Giants came to Oracle Park Sunday knowing he wasn’t going to pitch in the final game of a three-game series against the Athletics. And he’s fine with that. Things are more uncertain with Jordan Hicks. While going back to the bullpen isn’t something Hicks wanted, he’s not going to make any waves.

T he Royals can take the series against the Giants tonight with another late nighter for you Cental Time zone fans. Michael Lorenzen is on the hill after going a season-high 7 1