Giants' Hayden Birdsong: Moving to minors

Birdsong was optioned to Single-A San Jose on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Birdsong put together a stellar start Sunday against the Rockies, fanning 12 while allowing two runs over six frames, but he'll return to the minor leagues for now. Slusser notes that the right-hander's assignment to the affiliate geographically closest to San Francisco likely means he'll be back with the big-league club as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies. The impending return of Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (elbow) could squeeze the rookie out of the Giants' rotation plans after this weekend, however.