Giants’ Duggar out, Blanco and Hernandez in
SAN FRANCISCO — Though a few last details remain, the Giants did the heavy lifting on their final roster Tuesday night.
Steven Duggar, the promising center fielder, will have to wait. The team optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento, leaving the starting job to Austin Jackson. Veteran outfielders Gregor Blanco and Gorkys Hernandez made the team as backups.
Duggar impressed at the plate and in the field, but the Giants want to give his raw talent more time in the minors. Manager Bruce Bochy expects him back at some point this season.
“We really want him to continue his development, his progress,” Bochy said. “He didn’t get a lot of at-bats in TripleA last year . ... He’s a gifted center fielder. We know that. I just don’t want him sitting at this stage in his career.”
In other moves, right-handed relievers Pierce Johnson and Roberto Gomez were assured spots on the roster. They’ll be added officially when Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija go on the disabled list.
As the final backup infield move, Kelby Tomlinson made the team over Josh Rutledge,
who was optioned to Triple-A.
The final roster spot hinges on the status of closer Mark Melancon. The reliever is still dealing with the effects of off-season forearm surgery and it’s unclear whether he will be healthy enough to start the season.
Melancon will throw Wednesday morning before the team leaves for Los Angeles. If he’s ailing, the Giants may look to choose another reliever and put Melancon on the disabled list.
“When he throws, we’ll know,” Bochy said. “I’m going to be on the fence until then.”
Spring games ended Tuesday night, with a 3-0 victory over the A’s at AT&T Park. With that out of the way, here are the big issues facing the Giants as they prepare for Opening Day against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday
Melancon to the D.L.? — There’s growing air of caution surrounding Melancon, who hasn’t pitched since last Friday.
He’s still not over his 2017 health issues, when
he appeared in just 30.0 innings. The right-hander had season-ending surgery Sept. 12 to relieve compression in his forearm.
Melancon eased back into action this spring, throwing 4.2 innings over five outings and working in back-to-back games only once (March 2223).
Bobby Evans, the Giants general manager, said it would be “jumping the gun” to assume a D.L. stint for Melancon. He said the team plans on being cautious — but said that could mean simply restricting how often he’s used on the mound early in the season.
Jackson in center — Duggar’s roster chances might be have been doomed by his handedness. He’s a left-handed batter, and the Giants are in line to face left-handed pitchers in four of their first five games: Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood and Rich Hill in Los Angeles and Marco Gonzalez of the Seattle Mariners in the home opener.
Veteran outfielder Austin Jackson batted .352 (46 for 158) with a .440 on-base percentage and a .574 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers last year.