Cain tossed five innings of shutout ball, surrendering two hits while striking out one in Sunday's season-finale against the Rockies

EDGE Analysis

With the Giants out of contention, they decided to give Cain a spot start in the last game of the season. He pitched well enough, but he did not get the win after the bullpen imploded in the ninth. While the shutout performance looked good on paper, he only managed to strike out one batter and had an 11:3 flyball-to-groundball ratio. He finishes the year with a disappointing 5.79 ERA, and it seems he will never regain his dominant form.

Cain (elbow) was activated off the disabled list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Cain made his final rehab appearance Monday, and will now rejoin the big league club for the stretch run of the season. After pitching to a 6.15 ERA through 10 starts this season, Cain figures to serve primarily as a reliever for the remainder of the year.

Cain (elbow) will make another rehab appearance with Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, and he is expected to be activated Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barring an injury to one of their current starters, Cain will rejoin the Giants as a reliever. His 6.15 ERA and 1.58 WHIP are both career-worsts, as his bounce back attempt from offseason elbow surgery went south quickly. The Giants have a lot of money tied up in Cain for the next couple of years, so they will likely try and give him every chance to right the ship, but fantasy owners are not obliged to do the same.

Cain (elbow) is set to throw about 35 pitches out of the bullpen for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cain continues on the road to recovery, but probably won't be in the rotation upon his return. The veteran hurler has struggled even more this season, but will look to turn things around in a different role out of the bullpen.

Cain (elbow) is slated to throw two innings Friday at Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

This will be a quick return to the mound for Cain, who just landed on the disabled list on Aug. 28 with nerve irritation in his pitching elbow. After a week's rest, he'll be back on the mound Friday to begin his rehab assignment. Given that he's only going two innings, he'll likely need at least a second rehab appearance before rejoining the Giants.

Cain (elbow) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cain has not looked like himself in August as his ERA has ballooned from 4.91 to 6.15 over five starts this month. The Giants determined that Cain is dealing with nerve irritation in his pitching elbow and placed him on the disabled list. In a corresponding move, Chris Heston was recalled from Triple-A and will get the start on Sunday.

Cain gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings in his fourth loss Tuesday against the Cubs. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Cain has given up at least four runs in four of his five August starts and seven times in just 10 starts all year. His ERA is up to 6.15 as he looks further and further removed from his former All-Star self every time out. He last recorded an ERA under 4.00 in 2012.

Cain (1-1) picked up his first win of the season Tuesday, tossing six innings of shutout ball while striking out seven in the win over the Mets. Cain showed improved control in his second start back from the DL, throwing 66 of his 95 pitches for strikes. His fastball was sitting around 89-91 MPH, which is right around where it was last year prior to his injury. Cain should be considered a matchups play in shallow leagues, and a must-add in deeper and NL-only leagues.

Cain (0-1) gave up five runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings in his return from the disabled list Thursday against Miami. After missing the season's first three months with a strained flexor tendon, Cain looked pretty bad in his return -- particularly compared to Marlins starter Jose Fernandez, who looked studly in his own return after losing more than a year to Tommy John surgery. He'll probably improve over time, but after Cain turned in subpar performances in 2013 and 2014, it's hard to be overly optimistic. He will, however, get the struggling Mets offense back in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Cain (forearm) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Thursday morning. Cain was fully expected to take the hill against fellow returnee Jose Fernandez (elbow) on Thursday, as this announcement merely makes it official. Tim Lincecum (forearm) was sent to the 15-day DL in a corresponding move.