CINCINNATI (AP) — The Giants revamped their pitching staff on Tuesday, moving left-hander Mike Kickham into the bullpen for now.

The rookie got hit hard for the third straight outing on Monday night, allowing seven runs in only 2 2-3 innings of an 8-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The game was called after six innings because of rain.

The Giants called Kickham up to make his debut when Chad Gaudin went on the 15-day disabled list June 24 with a bruised elbow. Gaudin was hit by a line drive in his last start.

Kickham made three starts — all on the road — and lost all three, giving up 21 hits and 16 earned runs in 10 1-3 innings.

In all three starts, Kickham got the ball up when he had to pitch out of the stretch. Manager Bruce Bochy said a solid performance on Monday might have earned the rookie another start.

"It would have probably been discussed a little bit more," Bochy said. "It was a pretty easy call."

Bochy was noncommittal about how he'd reconfigure the staff again when Gaudin returns from his bruised right elbow. He's eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday.

"We'll see where we're at when that time comes up," Bochy said. "We're going to stay open-minded."