Giants recalled LHP Dan Runzler from Triple-A Fresno.

Runzler has struggled with control in the major leagues this season, walking 10 batters in 19 2/3 innings. He'll serve as a left-handed specialist for the Giants.

Giants optioned LHP Dan Runzler to Triple-A Fresno.

Runzler has struck out 18 in his 19 2/3 innings this season, but he's also walked 10 and posted a 6.41 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. He did well against left-handed batters, holding them to a .200 average, but he was exposed against right-handers, who blasted him to the tune of a .359 mark.

The Giants still do not know how, or even if, they want to use Dan Runzler this season.

The team could convert Runzler into a starting pitcher, but currently there is no room for him in the rotation. That leaves the bullpen, where he is competing for one roster spot against Guillermo Mota, Jeff Suppan, and Ryan Vogelsong. With Jeremy Affeldt eligible for free agency after this season, the Giants could groom Runzler for another year in the minors and then give him Affeldt's role in 2012. The more versatile Runzler becomes, the more options he will have -- if not this season, then quite likely next season.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said that the team is thinking about making Dan Runzler a starting pitcher.

Interesting. Runzler, who turns 26 next March, has made only two starts in 170 games between the majors and minors -- and those were both minor league rehab appearances. The southpaw is intriguing because of his ability to miss bats with regularity -- he has averaged 11.8 K/9 in the minors and 10.5 K/9 in 41 1/3 big league innings -- but his command is still a work in progress.

Giants activated LHP Dan Runzler from the 15-day disabled list.

Runzler has been out since early July with a knee injury. He has pitched pretty well for the Giants this season, with a 3.30 ERA and 9.6 K/9 rate, but walks have been a problem (5.7 BB/9).

The Giants are expected to activate Dan Runzler (knee) from the disabled list when rosters expand on Wednesday.

Runzler has been on a minor league rehab assignment for over two weeks and is certainly healthy by now. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list back in early July with a dislocated left knee cap and had a 3.30 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 36 relief appearances before getting injured.

Giants reliever Dan Runzler (knee) will continue his minor league rehab assignment Monday at Triple-A Fresno.

The left-handed reliever began that rehab assignment last week and is likely to rejoin San Francisco's bullpen within the next few days. He had a 3.30 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 36 appearances before hitting the disabled list.

Dan Runzler (knee) is slated to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday.

The left-hander threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to pitch in a simulated game Saturday. Then comes the rehab assignment. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks, it sounds like Runzler should be back in about a week.

Dan Runzler (knee) played catch on flat ground Monday and will try for a bullpen session by the end of the week.

Runzler is recovering more quickly than expected from a dislocated left knee cap. He was placed on the disabled list at the start of June and the Giants were under the impression that he would need six-to-eight weeks of recovery time. If he keeps rolling, he could be back in early August.

Dan Runzler is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a dislocated left knee cap.

The good news is that an MRI Friday revealed that the injury will not require surgery. "I'm happy there's no surgery required, and now I'm just going to work to get back on the field and do whatever the trainers tell me," said Runzler. "It's happened. It's over now." Look for him towards the end of August or early September.

Giants placed LHP Dan Runzler on the 15-day disabled list with a dislocated left patella.

Runzler dislocated his kneecap on a swing during his first major league at-bat Thursday. Pretty rough, at least he got the win, right? The rookie left-hander leaves behind a 3.30 ERA over 36 appearances this season.

Dan Runzler dislocated his left knee on Thursday.

It popped back into place almost immediately, but Runzler is going to need to spend at least 15 days on the disabled list. He will have an MRI on Friday.

Dan Runzler left Thursday's game with a left knee injury.

Runzler threw less than an inning before exiting. The left-handed reliever has a 3.30 ERA, a 1.53 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 30 innings this season.