The Giants settled on a trio of roster moves today, optioning outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. and reassigning pitchers Scott Kazmir and Shun Yamaguchi to minor league camp, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle and others (via Twitter). Shea notes that the Giants roster is now down to 31. Wade is the only one of the three currently on the 40-man roster.
The Giants acquired Wade, 27, this winter from the Twins exchange for right-hander Shaun Anderson. While there was some thought that he could break camp as an extra outfielder, he hit just .195/.320/.341 over his first 50 spring plate appearances. As he is already on the 40-man roster, there’s a decent chance that Wade finds his way to the Majors at some point during the season.
For now, this likely means Darin Ruf will make the opening day roster, in part because of the enhanced degree of flexibility he affords manager Gabe Kapler, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). Ruf and Austin Slater look like the backup outfielders on the roster, though both can play first base as well, which will be important early in the season as Brandon Belt hurries to get himself back up to speed after missing part of camp. Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group notes that these moves suggest Belt will be able to get himself ready in time for the opener, however.
Kazmir, 37, was certainly a long shot to make the roster. He last pitched in the Majors for the Dodgers in 2016. He threw 15 innings in independent ball last season with a 4.20 ERA. He followed up that effort with two starts and two relief appearances this spring for the Giants, allowing nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings.
Yamaguchi, 33, joined the Giants after being released by the Blue Jays. He struggled in his 17 appearances last season, finishing with a 8.06 ERA/5.09 SIERA. He recovered with a nice spring: six innings with a .150 ERA. The Giants will likely attempt to keep him in the organization for depth.
Wow a .150 ERA is a nice spring.
He only gave up one sixtieth of a run!!
What a legend lol.
Nah it was 1.50. 1 earned run over 6IP across 4 games. 6 hits, 2 BB, 6 K’s a .217 opposing BA.
Good numbers. He certainly didn’t pitch like that with Toronto haha
Kazmir will become the “situational lefty” for the Red Sox…the “situation” will be that he pitches every day.
surely Ruf is out if options?
Correct.
Last one was in May of 2016 w/Phillies to make space for 1B Tommy Joseph.
Was rooting for Kazmir, but yeah, he wasn’t getting it done. Probably the end of the line for him.
i mean might as well get him a few turns in the Minors out of the rotation or in the pen. cant hurt.
It could be, but I don’t think its a shock to anybody, including him, that he didn’t make the opening day roster. And it’s not like the Giants are overflowing with pitching talent and I’m sure he’ll be working hard to get to the front of the list for when somebody inevitably gets DFA’d or injured.
The Giants….Is there are worse roster in the NL West?
How old are you kid? You need to go find your powdered milk and head back down to the basement.
@Balk Butthurt?
Quit liking your own comments homie. Your so called team hasn’t been relevant for a decade and some. Head on down to the basement cling on.
@Balk Relevant? The Giants haven’t posted a winning season above .500 in five years. Lol.
Why are Giants fans so sensitive. Put some big girl pants on……It’s not my fault your team is terrible
@Tony…pay attention much? When were the Padres ever ahead of the Giants in the division other then last years shortened season and above .500? Giants have towered over your Friars for over a decade. Basement time for you kid, get your bottle and go pout some more about the Giants. You make Padres fans look bad!
Padres have had 9 above .500 seasons since 1990! Lol…Padres!!! They had a good year in 2010 when the Giants took ring one, and haven’t been above .500 since in a full 162 game season. The Giants have had 17 above .500 seasons since 1990. Pay attention much? Get ready for the injury bug.
Interesting that he didn’t respond to your well laid out facts blowing away his ridiculous opinions
Huh, almost like he’s just a troll or something
The Padres…..Is there a team in Major League Baseball history with fewer championships?
The Mariners. I’m a Mariners fan.
What did the bad Giant do to you, it’s all you ever post about. The Rockies are much worse.
The Rockies and diamondbacks
Why didn’t they just release Kazmir? 9 runs in 8 innings.
Slater a little more than a backup outfielder but ok TC
Outside of injuries, Slater is pretty bad ass
Check his numbers or watch a game
“Big Names” for a “Big Market Club”
@jessaumodesto lol
SF has the most championships this century…so yeah, what are you tryin to say?
So the Giants decided to shun Yamaguchi. Cold.