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Giants' Hayden Birdsong: Being evaluated for elbow injury
Rotowire
Birdsong is being evaluated for an elbow injury Thursday, Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The nature of Birdsong's injury isn't clear, so it's unknown if this will be a long-term issue for the 24-year-old right-hander. Birdsong has been roughed up this spring, allowing eight earned runs on eight hits and three walks across 2.1 innings. He's struck out two. Birdsong should be considered day-to-day until further notice. He was viewed as a long shot to open the season in the Giants' rotation.
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Giants' Jerar Encarnacion: Launches first spring homer
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Encarnacion went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-2 Cactus League win over the Royals.
Encarnacion drove a 383-foot homer to right-center field in the third inning, giving the Giants a four-run lead with his first long ball of the spring. The 28-year-old is competing for a roster spot ahead of Opening Day and is out of minor-league options following an injury-riddled 2025 campaign in which he slashed .200/.214/.364 with seven RBI, five runs scored, two homers and one stolen base across 56 plate appearances in 19 outings. While he has primarily operated as an outfielder in the past, Encarnacion has experience at first base and could see time at DH to open the 2026 season if San Francisco decides Bryce Eldridge needs more time to develop with Triple-A Sacramento, per Maria Guardado of MLB.com.
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Giants' Tyler Fitzgerald: Competing for utility role
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Fitzgerald started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-4 Cactus League win over the Guardians, and he's competing for a utility role ahead of Opening Day, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
While Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss appear more likely to begin the 2026 campaign in utility roles, Fitzgerald remains an option for San Francisco. However, the 28-year-old hasn't made a strong case for himself at the plate this spring, slashing .154/.154/.385 with six RBI, three doubles and two runs scored across 26 plate appearances in 13 games. Fitzgerald opened the 2025 campaign as the club's starting second baseman but had a down season and spent significant time with Triple-A Sacramento, where he could begin this season.
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Giants' Erik Miller: Set for Cactus League debut Friday
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Miller (back) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Reds, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Miller threw a live batting practice session Tuesday with no issues, clearing the way for him to make his first appearance of spring training. The left-hander has been battling a back problem but expects to be ready to roll in time for Opening Day.
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Giants' Trevor McDonald: In mix for bullpen spot
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McDonald has allowed two hits and a walk while striking out seven across six scoreless innings in three Cactus League appearances, and he is making a strong case to open the 2026 campaign in the Giants' bullpen, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
McDonald was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in September of last season, recording a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB across 15 innings in three big-league appearances, including two starts. The right-hander has impressed this spring, and while there isn't expected to be room for him in the starting rotation just yet, he has a good chance to open the season in the bullpen. If injuries arise among San Francisco's starters during the season, the 25-year-old would be a candidate to move into the rotation.
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Giants' Daniel Susac: Favorite for backup catcher role
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Susac is viewed as the favorite to win the Giants' backup catcher job, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Eric Haase and Jesus Rodriguez are also in the mix to back up Patrick Bailey, though Susac appears likely to earn that role. The 24-year-old catcher was selected by the Athletics with the 19th overall pick in 2022 and has yet to make his big-league debut. He was left unprotected ahead of the Rule 5 Draft in December, and he was selected fourth overall by the Twins before being sent to San Francisco. Through eight Cactus League games with the Giants, Susac has slashed .350/.381/.450 with two runs scored, two doubles and one RBI across 21 plate appearances. He recorded a 26.8 percent strikeout rate with Triple-A Las Vegas last season, so improving his plate discipline and reducing strikeouts will continue to be a point of emphasis.
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Giants' Jesus Rodriguez: Cracks homer in spring win
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Rodriguez started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 9-5 Cactus League win over the Cubs.
Rodriguez drove a solo homer to left field in the sixth inning, bringing the Giants within one run. He later singled and stole second in the seventh. The 23-year-old catcher, who was acquired by San Francisco in a deal with the Yankees in July, is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster but could be a candidate for a call-up at some point during the regular season. Per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, manager Tony Vitello called him "Mr. Versatile" and added that Rodriguez will get a start at second base soon. While the majority of his time in the minors has been spent behind the plate and at DH, he also has experience playing third base.
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Giants' Joey Lucchesi: Re-joins Giants as NRI
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The Giants re-signed Lucchesi to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Lucchesi was non-tendered by the Giants back in November, but with Reiver Sanmartin (hip) out three months and Erik Miller (back) banged up, Lucchesi has a chance to make the team as a left-handed reliever. He was decent for San Francisco last season, collecting a 3.76 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 38.1 innings.
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Giants' Drew Gilbert: Cleared to DH in games
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Gilbert (shoulder) has been cleared to serve as a designated hitter in Cactus League games, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Gilbert is working his way back from a left shoulder impingement and still isn't ready to play defense, but the Giants are comfortable having him hit. The 25-year-old is in the running for a reserve outfielder role in San Francisco, though the shoulder issue preventing him from playing the field doesn't help his chances.
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Giants' Reiver Sanmartin: Sidelined three months
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Sanmartin will be sidelined for three months after being diagnosed Monday with a severe right hip flexor strain, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Sanmartin suffered the injury during a recent exhibition game and an MRI revealed a serious injury. The left-hander had been competing for a spot in the Giants bullpen after being claimed off waivers from the Reds back in November.
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Giants' Erik Miller: Ready to face hitters
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Miller (back) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The live BP session will be the final hurdle that Miller needs to clear in his recovery from a back injury before making his Cactus League debut, perhaps as soon as later this week. Considering that Miller wasn't tasked with recording more than four outs in any of his 36 relief appearances for the Giants last season, he won't require much ramp-up time and should be ready to go for Opening Day.
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Giants' Rafael Devers: Back in lineup at designated hitter
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Devers (hamstring) will start at designated hitter and in the leadoff spot in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Angels.
Devers has been held out of game action since late February due to hamstring tightness, but he's ready to be eased back in at DH on Monday and should be ready to play first base again soon. The 29-year-old has gone hitless in nine plate appearances thus far in Cactus League play.
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Giants' Luis Matos: Multi-hit effort in spring win
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Matos went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Friday's 6-3 Cactus League win over the Reds.
Matos hit an RBI double to center in the second inning and later cracked a solo homer to left in the sixth. The 24-year-old outfielder has enjoyed a strong start to Cactus League play, slashing .450/.500/.850 with five runs scored, four RBI, two long balls and two doubles across 22 plate appearances in 10 outings. With Harrison Bader's (thumb) arrival sending Jung Hoo Lee (ankle) to right field, Matos is fighting for a roster spot ahead of Opening Day. He is out of minor-league options and may end up having to explore other opportunities.
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Giants' Jung Hoo Lee: Tweaks ankle in WBC
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Lee rolled his ankle in Thursday's 11-4 win over Czechia in the World Baseball Classic, but the issue is believed to be minor, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Giants manager Tony Vitello said Friday that he believes the injury won't require Lee to miss any games. Korea's next game comes Saturday at 5:00am ET. Lee went 2-for-4 with one run scored during Korea's win over Czechia.
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Giants' Rafael Devers: Almost ready for game action
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Devers (hamstring) has a slight chance to play in Sunday's Cactus League game against Arizona, but a Monday return is likeliest, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Devers has been dealing with hamstring tightness since late February and had been shut down from all baseball activities for a few days. The 29-year-old is on the brink of being cleared for game action, but it's uncertain exactly when he'll be back in the Giants' lineup. Regardless, it looks like Devers will have plenty of time to get into the swing of things before Opening Day.
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Giants' Erik Miller: Completes bullpen session
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Miller (back) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could return to action as soon as next week, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Miller has yet to make his Cactus League debut this spring due to lower-back tightness, though he's progressing toward a return. The southpaw will aim to start the season at full strength after his 2025 campaign was cut short due to a left elbow injury. Over 36 relief appearances last season, Miller posted a 1.50 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 22:20 K:BB in 30 innings.
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Giants' Joel Peguero: Suffers Grade 2 hamstring strain
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Peguero was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Peguero is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks. He initially suffered the hamstring injury 16 days ago but apparently aggravated it in recent days and will now face an even longer recovery period. Peguero was competing for a prominent role in the Giants' bullpen after pitching in 17 games for San Francisco last season. He registered a 2.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across his first 22.1 big-league innings.
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Giants' Rafael Devers: Hamstring improving
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Devers said Wednesday that his injured hamstring is "feeling good," and he could get back into Cactus League action this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Devers was scratched from last Friday's lineup and was shut down from all baseball activities due to hamstring tightness. With the rest, it appears as if Devers' hamstring is feeling better. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Devers should be ready for Opening Day in three weeks.
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Giants' Reiver Sanmartin: Battling quad injury
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Sanmartin suffered a minor quadriceps strain during a recent exhibition game appearance for Team Colombia, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Sanmartin tweaked his quad while fielding a comebacker. The lefty will be forced to pull out of representing his native country in the World Baseball Classic, and he will be reevaluated before it's determined how much time he might miss. Sanmartin was a waiver claim of the Giants back in November.
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Giants' Adrian Houser: Fans three in exhibition game
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Houser took the loss in Tuesday's 15-1 exhibition defeat to Team USA, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across three innings.
Houser gave up two singles and a double that led to a pair of runs in the first inning, though he settled in over his final two frames, allowing just one walk. The 33-year-old tossed 29 of his 48 pitches for strikes. The veteran right-hander signed a two-year, $22 million pact with San Francisco in December after starting 21 games between the Rays and White Sox last season, during which he recorded a 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB while surrendering 10 long balls in 125 innings.
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