As mentioned briefly in Sunday's article (now expanded), Jason Schmidt went on bereavement leave April 23rd in order to attend the funeral of his mother, who sadly passed away due to cancer. While Luis Estrella temporarily replaced Schmidt on the roster, San Francisco called up Jerome Williams to make a spot start needed as a result of Schmidt's absence.

The Giants drafted Williams out of high school with the 39th overall pick of the first round of the 1999 draft. Williams spent the remainder of the 1999 season at Salem-Keizer in the Short-Season Northwest League before advancing to A+ San Jose in the California League for 2000. After a full year at AA Shreveport in the Texas League in 2001, he spent last year at AAA Fresno in the Pacific Coast League, where he compiled a 130:50 K:BB with 140 H and 16 HR allowed in 161 IP for a 3.59 ERA. None of his skills indicate a need for additional minor league time, but the Giants' rotation slots are committed to other pitchers, so the 21-year-old will probably spend the majority of 2003 further refining his abilities at AAA.