Giants move Cueto off 40-man roster to make room for reliever.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. >> Giants starter Johnny Cueto did not arrive to the team’s spring training complex Tuesday with the rest of the pitchers and catchers.
But this year, that’s not a concern. Cueto stayed behind in the Dominican Republic because of a personal matter, but is expected to report to Scottsdale today. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last August and will miss most if not all of the 2019 season.
Cueto posted an Instagram on Tuesday mourning the loss of his horse, Popeye, but manager Bruce Bochy said the delay in Cueto’s arrival was not related to the horse’s death. The right-hander spent most of his offseason rehabbing at the Giants’ complex in Scottsdale. Cueto hopes to pitch at the end of the year, but he was officially removed from the 40-man roster Wednesday and placed on the 60-day injured list.
The Giants moved Cueto off the roster to clear a spot for reliever Trevor Gott, who was acquired off of waivers from the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Gott, 26, owns a career 4.64 ERA and has appeared in 81 games over four major league seasons.
Gott adds right-handed depth to a bullpen that remains heavy on lefthanders, even after the Giants designated Josh Osich for assignment Tuesday.
• The Giants agreed to terms with outfielder Gerardo Parra on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.
Parra doesn’t have a 40-man roster spot yet, but barring a surprise or injury, he’ll likely open the regular season on the Giants’ opening-day roster. The 10-year veteran can play all three outfield positions and could start regularly against right-handed pitchers.
“A good defender, a good hitter, good makeup, I’ve seen a lot of him and he’s played very well against us,” Bochy said. “I think he’s going to add experience with this club, but also, he’s a very talented player.”
Bochy said he’d prefer to play Parra in a corner outfield position but said he would consider looking at Parra in center field during the spring.
• Left-hander Will Smith took over the Giants’ closer role last summer and enjoyed the best season of his career, posting a 2.55 ERA in 54 appearances in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Though Smith was 14 for 18 in save chances, Bochy said the Giants will open up the competition for the closer’s spot this spring. Smith will be a candidate for the job, but so will Mark Melancon who signed a fouryear, $62 million contract to serve as the team’s closer two years ago. Melancon has battled a pronator injury in each of the last two seasons, but the right-hander said he’s much healthier entering 2019.
“Melancon feels great, it looks like he’s gotten over the hump with his situation,” Bochy said. “He’s excited about how he feels.”
If Bochy opens up the competition beyond Smith and Melancon, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson and Reyes Moronta all pitched in high-leverage situations for the Giants last season.
• Two-time All-Star Stephen Vogt passed his physical Tuesday and took the field with the rest of the Giants catchers Wednesday.
Vogt did not play in 2018 after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he signed a minor league contract with the Giants on Monday and caught bullpens during the team’s first workout.
Bochy said that Vogt won’t appear in games until at least March as he continues to rehab from surgery, but that won’t preclude him from having a chance to earn an opening-day roster spot.
Vogt, Rene Rivera, Cameron Rupp and Aramis Garcia will all battle for the right to serve as Buster Posey’s backup this spring, but Bochy indicated the Giants will consider carrying three catchers on their 25-man roster.
“I think it’s going to be critical that we have coverage,” Bochy said. “We’re hopeful that all goes well with Buster and that we get him back to normal.”
Posey underwent hip surgery in August, but expects to be ready to catch on Opening Day. Though Posey may not be able to handle a full workload at the beginning of the season, the Giants have two potential backups — Vogt and Garcia — who can provide versatility.