SF Giants update: Piscotty talks spring, catching spots finalized, Cobb’s status, and two outfielders to start year on IL
OAKLAND – Stephen Piscotty was back at the Coliseum on Sunday, returning to the facility where he spent close to five full seasons as a member of the Oakland A’s.
The next stop for Piscotty will be Sacramento, as the Pleasanton native was assigned the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate Saturday as the organization continued to reduce its big league roster in advance of Thursday’s Opening Day in New York.
Piscotty, though, still showed he can play, and could be someone the Giants call on if more injuries crop up or other changes are made this season.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Piscotty said. “I gave it my all to make this team and I feel really good about that. Just because it didn’t happen doesn’t mean I’m going to stop. I’m just going to keep trucking and see what happens.
“But I felt really good about giving myself a shot.”
Piscotty played 403 games for the A’s from 2018 to Aug. 16 of last season when he was released. At that time, Piscotty had played just 42 games, with a .190 batting average and a .593 OPS, as a calf strain kept him out for close to two months.
A week after his release, Piscotty signed with the Cincinnati Reds. He finished the season at Triple-A Louisville and hit .250 with five home runs, to go with a .767 OPS, in 24 games.
“Nobody really wants to ever get released,” Piscotty said. “After it happened, I wanted to get back on the horse, going and playing, and having a good end of the year then coming into camp. I was proud of how I responded.”
Piscotty signed as a free agent with the Giants on Feb. 6.
“I had heard a lot of good things about this organization from a development perspective,” Piscotty said. “And even at my age, I’m always trying to learn, so I felt like when I got to camp, I learned even more, so I felt really good about it.”
Piscotty hit .320 with an. 810 OPS in 10 Cactus League games. Now the focus will be on Piscotty’s defense as he begins the season in Triple-A.
“We want to be able to protect this solid starting pitching staff that we have, and the quality bullpen, so the defensive component is one that that Steven needs to continue to work on,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “But that’s just part of it. Even though you’re a veteran player, you’re still developing.”
Other players assigned to Sacramento were pitchers Melvin Adón, Mauricio Llovera, Kade McClure, Miguel Yajure, catcher/infielders Brett Auerbach and Ford Proctor and infielder Will Wilson.
CATCHING UP: Catcher Roberto Pérez, a non-roster invitee, has been added to the roster, Kapler confirmed. Bay Area News Group first reported the decision. Kapler said the organization has finalized decisions on the catching group, but that the team was not ready to make that announcement.
Pérez had a .683 in 10 games this spring but has meshed well with the Giants pitching staff.
COBB’S SCHEDULE: Kapler said the Giants will decide what to do with right-hander Alex Cobb after he starts a backfield minor league game Monday in Scottsdale. Cobb threw a bullpen session Saturday.
Before his left knee was bruised off a comebacker in a March 11 game against the Cobb was originally scheduled to pitch Saturday in the second game of the Giants’ season-opening series with the New York Yankees. Kapler, though, said the Giants will see how Cobb feels after Monday before they decide where he might slot into the rotation.
OUTFIELDERS TO START ON IL: Kapler confirmed that outfielders Mitch Haniger and Austin Slater will start the season on the injured list.
Haniger, 32, is dealing with a left oblique strain and although he started his throwing and hitting progression a week ago, will not be ready for opening day. Slater, 30, is dealing with a left hamstring strain and has not played since March 16.
Kapler doesn’t expect either player to be off the roster for an extended period, although Slater will be out longer than Hanigan. The Giants have five healthy outfielders on the roster.