Giants sign veteran outfielder, add new starting pitcher

SCOTTSDALE — Until Tuesday, the Giants hadn’t invited any outfielders to spring training with more than 350 career at-bats.

The signing of minor league free agent Gerardo Parra, a 10-year major league veteran, changes that.

MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported an agreement between Parra and the Giants Tuesday, shortly after pitchers and catchers arrived at the team’s Scottsdale complex. Parra’s addition gives San Francisco a much-needed veteran presence in camp who can play all three outfield positions.

Though Parra won’t arrive to spring training with a roster spot, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is continuing to tinker with the team’s 40man roster. After agreeing to terms with Parra, the Giants claimed right-handed pitcher Jose Lopez off waivers from the Reds and designated left-handed reliever Josh Osich for assignment.

Lopez, 25, started 26 games for the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate last season and posted a 4.47 ERA in 141.0 innings. Lopez has yet to make his major league debut and will likely begin the year with Triple-A Sacramento if he remains with the Giants through the spring.

Osich, 30, finished with an 8.25 ERA in just 12 games for the Giants last season after struggling with command early in the year. The lefthander will be placed on waivers but could remain with the organization if he goes unclaimed by another club.

While Zaidi swapped out a starter for a reliever on the 40-man roster, he also followed through with his intention of signing an outfielder with major league experience. At the team’s media day Friday, Zaidi said he hoped to add at least two

veteran outfielders to the mix in the coming days, so the signing of Parra does not preclude the Giants from continuing

to pursue other options including free agent Bryce Harper.

Parra is a career .278 hitter who spent the past three seasons with the Colorado Rockies. A two-time Gold Glove Award winner, Parra hit .309 against right-handed pitchers last year while

performing better on the road than he did at the hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Though Parra has struggled in recent years against lefties, the Giants will likely use him in a platoon role if he makes the 25-man roster out of spring training.