Giants juggling plenty of transferring components earlier than finalizing Opening Day roster – NBC Sports activities Bay Space & California
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants are expected to have one of the National League's best rotations by the end of April, and former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray will join the group in the middle of the summer. But at least in the first week it's a kind of climbing exercise.
Three options remained in Arizona when the Giants returned to the Bay Area this week. Alex Cobb is weeks ahead of schedule in his rehab from hip surgery, but he's not quite ready to return to the big leagues just yet. Keaton Winn will play in a minor league game on Wednesday as he recovers from elbow discomfort at the start of training camp. Blake Snell will pitch this Friday, building on Sunday's three-inning outing, which was his first since signing a two-year deal with the Giants.
Winn could be an option as early as Monday in Los Angeles, which would be the fifth game of the season. In theory, Snell could be added to the roster as early as next Wednesday, although with an off day right after the season-opening road trip, it might make more sense to push him back for the home opener when he feels he's ready. The Giants have been tight-lipped about Cobb's schedule, but he's believed to be close.
The situation could result in the Giants only having three true starting pitchers on Opening Day. Mason Black appeared poised for a rotation spot until the others were ready, but the Giants moved him to minor league camp on Tuesday afternoon. Since Black is not on the 40-man roster, the Giants can bring him back early in the year if necessary.
The Giants also reassigned left-hander Juan Sanchez and outfielder Ismael Munguia. All three had strong starts, with Munguia winning the Barney Nugent Award, given to the player who is most impressive in his first big league camp.
“Both [Black and Sanchez] “Sometimes he threw a good pitch,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “We have a lot of tough decisions to make, but all of these guys also know they're just a phone call away. “Our guys know the 26-man roster means a lot more as the season goes on, so you've got to be ready. It could happen at any time.
The Giants also have plenty of other balls in the air.
Mike Yastrzemski's wife, Paige, is due to give birth to the couple's second child on Friday, and although Yastrzemski plans to play on Thursday, he will likely be on the paternity list for the remainder of the season-opening road series against the San Diego Padres.
Running out of options, Joey Bart met with Melvin after Tuesday's game. It's possible the Giants use him as a third catcher while they consider other roster moves. It would probably be easier to sneak Bart through waivers a few days into the season than in the next day or two when 29 other teams set their own rosters.
The Giants also need multiple 40-man spots. Nick Ahmed appears to be the Opening Day shortstop, and non-roster invitees Daulton Jefferies and Landen Roupp have been fighting for open bullpen spots.
San Francisco was still working on moves late Tuesday night and planned to fly to San Diego on Wednesday. As last year's last-minute addition of Matt Beaty showed, problems often arise until the very last minute.
Super provider
Tyler Fitzgerald took a quick first base lesson with Ron Wotus before the game and then landed at the position for the final three innings on Tuesday night. It's another glove for the young utility man, who now has experience in all four infield spots and can also play center field.
The front office and new coaching staff are excited about Fitzgerald, who showcased his speed-power combination in a cameo late last season. The roster lacks defensive versatility, and Fitzgerald's ability to now fill eight different spots may be why he gets the final backup spot.
Former first-rounder back on track?
Hunter Bishop was brought to San Francisco to join the group of minor league players who rounded out the roster for two exhibition games, although he did not appear in Tuesday's game. Bishop didn't play last season after Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm, but he said he was fully healthy and felt great about how his body and swing felt this spring.
It's been five years since the Giants made Bishop their first first-round pick under Farhan Zaidi and Michael Holmes, and he's had to watch as most of that first-round class has already reached the big leagues. However, it wouldn't be a surprise if Bishop was back on the radar this season. He is one of the organization's best athletes and even after years of battling injuries, he is still only 25 years old.
If Bishop starts in Double-A, he would be part of a very athletic outfield. Speedy centerfielder Grant McCray will begin his season there after hitting 14 home runs and stealing 52 bases in the High-A League last season.
New voices
The announcer for the first game of the year at Oracle Park was Carolyn “CJ” Silas, the longtime PA announcer for Cal Poly Baseball. Silas has more than 30 years of experience behind the microphone, including stints with the Blue Jays' Triple-A team and the Yankees' Double-A team.
The Giants announced earlier this month that they had parted ways with Renel Brooks-Moon, who had served in the role since the ballpark opened in 2000. They plan to change PA announcers early in the season while they look for a long-term solution.
Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast
