This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
McDonald has allowed two hits and a walk while striking out seven across six scoreless innings in three Cactus League appearances, and he is making a strong case to open the 2026 campaign in the Giants' bullpen, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
McDonald was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in September of last season, recording a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB across 15 innings in three big-league appearances, including two starts. The right-hander has impressed this spring, and while there isn't expected to be room for him in the starting rotation just yet, he has a good chance to open the season in the bullpen. If injuries arise among San Francisco's starters during the season, the 25-year-old would be a candidate to move into the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Daniel Susac: Favorite for backup catcher role
Rotowire
Susac is viewed as the favorite to win the Giants' backup catcher job, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Eric Haase and Jesus Rodriguez are also in the mix to back up Patrick Bailey, though Susac appears likely to earn that role. The 24-year-old catcher was selected by the Athletics with the 19th overall pick in 2022 and has yet to make his big-league debut. He was left unprotected ahead of the Rule 5 Draft in December, where he was selected fourth overall by the Twins before being sent to San Francisco. Through eight Cactus League games with the Giants, Susac has slashed .350/.381/.450 with two runs scored, two doubles and one RBI across 21 plate appearances. He recorded a 26.8 percent strikeout rate with Triple-A Las Vegas last season, so improving his plate discipline and reducing strikeouts will continue to be a point of emphasis.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Jesus Rodriguez: Cracks homer in spring win
Rotowire
Rodriguez started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 9-5 Cactus League win over the Cubs.
Rodriguez drove a solo homer to left field in the sixth inning, bringing the Giants within one run. He later singled and stole second in the seventh. The 23-year-old catcher, who was acquired by San Francisco in a deal with the Yankees in July, is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster but could be a candidate for a call-up at some point during the regular season. Per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, manager Tony Vitello called him "Mr. Versatile" and added that Rodriguez will get a start at second base soon. While the majority of his time in the minors has been spent behind the plate and at DH, he also has experience playing third base.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Joey Lucchesi: Re-joins Giants as NRI
Rotowire
The Giants re-signed Lucchesi to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Lucchesi was non-tendered by the Giants back in November, but with Reiver Sanmartin (hip) out three months and Erik Miller (back) banged up, Lucchesi has a chance to make the team as a left-handed reliever. He was decent for San Francisco last season, collecting a 3.76 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 38.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Drew Gilbert: Cleared to DH in games
Rotowire
Gilbert (shoulder) has been cleared to serve as a designated hitter in Cactus League games, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Gilbert is working his way back from a left shoulder impingement and still isn't ready to play defense, but the Giants are comfortable having him hit. The 25-year-old is in the running for a reserve outfielder role in San Francisco, though the shoulder issue preventing him from playing the field doesn't help his chances.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Reiver Sanmartin: Sidelined three months
Rotowire
Sanmartin will be sidelined for three months after being diagnosed Monday with a severe right hip flexor strain, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Sanmartin suffered the injury during a recent exhibition game and an MRI revealed a serious injury. The left-hander had been competing for a spot in the Giants bullpen after being claimed off waivers from the Reds back in November.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Erik Miller: Ready to face hitters
Rotowire
Miller (back) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The live BP session will be the final hurdle that Miller needs to clear in his recovery from a back injury before making his Cactus League debut, perhaps as soon as later this week. Considering that Miller wasn't tasked with recording more than four outs in any of his 36 relief appearances for the Giants last season, he won't require much ramp-up time and should be ready to go for Opening Day.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Rafael Devers: Back in lineup at designated hitter
Rotowire
Devers (hamstring) will start at designated hitter and in the leadoff spot in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Angels.
Devers has been held out of game action since late February due to hamstring tightness, but he's ready to be eased back in at DH on Monday and should be ready to play first base again soon. The 29-year-old has gone hitless in nine plate appearances thus far in Cactus League play.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Luis Matos: Multi-hit effort in spring win
Rotowire
Matos went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Friday's 6-3 Cactus League win over the Reds.
Matos hit an RBI double to center in the second inning and later cracked a solo homer to left in the sixth. The 24-year-old outfielder has enjoyed a strong start to Cactus League play, slashing .450/.500/.850 with five runs scored, four RBI, two long balls and two doubles across 22 plate appearances in 10 outings. With Harrison Bader's (thumb) arrival sending Jung Hoo Lee (ankle) to right field, Matos is fighting for a roster spot ahead of Opening Day. He is out of minor-league options and may end up having to explore other opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Jung Hoo Lee: Tweaks ankle in WBC
Rotowire
Lee rolled his ankle in Thursday's 11-4 win over Czechia in the World Baseball Classic, but the issue is believed to be minor, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Giants manager Tony Vitello said Friday that he believes the injury won't require Lee to miss any games. Korea's next game comes Saturday at 5:00am ET. Lee went 2-for-4 with one run scored during Korea's win over Czechia.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Rafael Devers: Almost ready for game action
Rotowire
Devers (hamstring) has a slight chance to play in Sunday's Cactus League game against Arizona, but a Monday return is likeliest, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Devers has been dealing with hamstring tightness since late February and had been shut down from all baseball activities for a few days. The 29-year-old is on the brink of being cleared for game action, but it's uncertain exactly when he'll be back in the Giants' lineup. Regardless, it looks like Devers will have plenty of time to get into the swing of things before Opening Day.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Erik Miller: Completes bullpen session
Rotowire
Miller (back) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could return to action as soon as next week, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Miller has yet to make his Cactus League debut this spring due to lower-back tightness, though he's progressing toward a return. The southpaw will aim to start the season at full strength after his 2025 campaign was cut short due to a left elbow injury. Over 36 relief appearances last season, Miller posted a 1.50 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 22:20 K:BB in 30 innings.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Joel Peguero: Suffers Grade 2 hamstring strain
Rotowire
Peguero was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Peguero is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks. He initially suffered the hamstring injury 16 days ago but apparently aggravated it in recent days and will now face an even longer recovery period. Peguero was competing for a prominent role in the Giants' bullpen after pitching in 17 games for San Francisco last season. He registered a 2.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across his first 22.1 big-league innings.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Rafael Devers: Hamstring improving
Rotowire
Devers said Wednesday that his injured hamstring is "feeling good," and he could get back into Cactus League action this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Devers was scratched from last Friday's lineup and was shut down from all baseball activities due to hamstring tightness. With the rest, it appears as if Devers' hamstring is feeling better. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Devers should be ready for Opening Day in three weeks.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Reiver Sanmartin: Battling quad injury
Rotowire
Sanmartin suffered a minor quadriceps strain during a recent exhibition game appearance for Team Colombia, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Sanmartin tweaked his quad while fielding a comebacker. The lefty will be forced to pull out of representing his native country in the World Baseball Classic, and he will be reevaluated before it's determined how much time he might miss. Sanmartin was a waiver claim of the Giants back in November.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Adrian Houser: Fans three in exhibition game
Rotowire
Houser took the loss in Tuesday's 15-1 exhibition defeat to Team USA, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across three innings.
Houser gave up two singles and a double that led to a pair of runs in the first inning, though he settled in over his final two frames, allowing just one walk. The 33-year-old tossed 29 of his 48 pitches for strikes. The veteran right-hander signed a two-year, $22 million pact with San Francisco in December after starting 21 games between the Rays and White Sox last season, during which he recorded a 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB while surrendering 10 long balls in 125 innings.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Carson Whisenhunt: Struggles in spring game
Rotowire
Whisenhunt logged a blown save in Monday's 6-5 Cactus League win over the White Sox, allowing four earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two across 1.2 innings.
Whisenhunt entered in the third inning and surrendered two singles and a double that led to two runs. He then allowed a walk and two doubles before being pulled in the fourth, as the White Sox took a 4-3 lead. On a more positive note, the southpaw averaged 95.6 mph on his four-seamer, a significant uptick from his average of 92.6 mph in 2025. The 25-year-old could compete for a spot in the bullpen ahead of Opening Day, but it wouldn't be surprising if he begins the season in Triple-A Sacramento's rotation. He recorded a 5.01 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 16:12 K:BB while giving up six long balls across 23.1 innings in five starts for San Francisco last season.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Logan Webb: Fans three Sunday
Rotowire
Webb picked up the win in Sunday's 9-1 Cactus League victory over the Padres, allowing one earned run on two hits while striking out three batters and hitting one in three innings.
Webb picked up his second win in as many spring starts, throwing 27 of his 38 pitches for strikes. He hit the first batter he faced, who later scored on an RBI single, though the right-hander powered through his final two innings and gave up just one more single. Webb will now join Team USA ahead of the World Baseball Classic. According to Maria Guardado of MLB.com, the 29-year-old tossed 15 extra pitches in the bullpen after exiting Sunday's game and expects to be available to throw 60-65 pitches in his first start for Team USA.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Sam Hentges: Not game-ready yet
Rotowire
Hentges (shoulder/knee) said Monday that he will throw one more bullpen session before advancing to facing hitters, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Hentges has been throwing off the mound since the beginning of Giants camp, but the club is being slow and steady with his progression following left shoulder surgery in September 2024 and arthroscopic right knee surgery in August 2025. The southpaw will likely face hitters at least a couple times before he's ready to pitch in games. The deliberate pace the Giants have Hentges on suggests they might put him on the injured list to begin the season.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Joel Peguero: On track to play this week
Rotowire
Peguero (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Friday and is on track to play this week, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Peguero began experiencing tightness in his left hamstring in mid-February but is progressing toward his Cactus League debut. The right-hander made 17 relief appearances for the Giants in 2025 after his contract was selected from Triple-A Sacramento in August, recording a 2.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 22.1 innings.
