Giants add starting pitcher to the mix

If Angels general manager Billy Eppler doesn’t want to keep a player on his 40-man roster, he now knows to contact Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.

Zaidi and the Giants placed a waiver claim on pitcher Luís Madero on Tuesday, adding the righthanded starter to the roster three weeks ahead of spring training. To clear space for Madero, the Giants designated reliever Jake Jewell for assignment just days after adding Jewell on a waiver claim from the Angels.

As the Giants briefly opened up a roster spot for Jewell, they designated infielder Zack Cozart for assignment after acquiring Cozart in a December trade that brought 2019 first round draft choice Will Wilson to San Francisco.

Madero has never pitched above Double-A and the 22-year-old starter has had trouble at that level, posting a 5.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) last season. There’s still plenty of time for Madero to continue his development, but as players at the back end of the Giants’ 40-man roster have learned during Zaidi’s tenure, the organization isn’t afraid to make quick decisions if it sees an opportunity to improve.

MLB.com ranked Madero as the 11th-best prospect in the Angels’ farm system, noting that his low-90s fastball with sinking action and his above-average slider are his top offerings.

Over the last two weeks, the Giants have seen a chance to upgrade from Cozart and now, they feel Madero is in a better spot to eventually help the team than Jewell.

The next time the Angels designate a player for assignment, keep tabs on their whereabouts. It might only be a matter of time before that player ends up on the Giants’ roster. GIANTS INVITE THREE TO SPRING TRAINING >> The Giants announced Tuesday that pitchers Tyson Ross and Jerry Blevins as well as catcher Rob Brantly have agreed to minor league deals that include invitations to major league spring training.

Ross will receive an opportunity to start while Blevins has a realistic path to earning a roster spot in the Giants’ bullpen. Brantly joins a competition to back up Buster Posey that includes Aramis Garcia and minor league free agent Tyler Heineman.

Top prospect Joey Bart also received an invitation to spring training, but it’s unlikely Bart will crack the Opening Day roster as the Giants want the catcher to receive everyday at-bats in the minor leagues.