:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67194408/1168316017.jpg.0.jpg)
The San Francisco Giants once again made a series of moves, adding two players to the roster on Wednesday, ahead of their series finale against the Houston Astros.
Veteran right-handed pitcher Trevor Cahill was activated, and will start Wednesday’s game. Cahill was signed in the offseason to a Minor League contract, and missed the start of the season due to a fingernail issue.
While the Cahill addition was expected, the activation of fellow right-handed pitcher Dereck Rodríguez was a bit of a surprise.
To make room for those two, right-handed reliever Rico Garcia and left-handed reliever Conner Menez were optioned to the Alternate Training Site in Sacramento.
Dereck Rodriguez has been added to the active roster, along with Trevor Cahill. Rico Garcia and Conner Menez have been optioned to the Alternate Site.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) August 12, 2020
Cahill is coming off a rough year, one in which he accumulated a 5.98 ERA and 6.13 FIP with the Los Angeles Angels. He had 81 strikeouts to 39 walks in 102.1 innings. But he was much better in 2018 with the Oakland A’s, finishing with a 3.76 ERA, a 3.54 FIP, and 100 strikeouts to 41 walks in 110 innings.
The story is similar for Rodríguez. He was not good in 2019, finishing with a 5.64 ERA, a 5.69 FIP, and 71 strikeouts to 36 walks in 99 innings. But his rookie year in 2018 was very good, as he had a 2.81 ERA, a 3.73 FIP, and 89 strikeouts to 36 walks in 118.1 innings.
As for those headed to Sacramento, they both had some strong showings and some rough patches in their second MLB seasons. Garcia made 9 appearances, and had a 7.50 ERA, a 5.20 FIP, and 3 strikeouts to 2 walks in 6 innings. Menez made 7 appearances, accumulating a 2.38 ERA, a 5.50 FIP, and 8 strikeouts to 5 walks in 11.1 innings.
While optioning Garcia and Menez opens up the spots for Cahill and Rodríguez on the active roster, the Giants still need to clear someone from the 40-man roster to make room for Cahill. That move hasn’t been announced, though it could come in the form of a season-ending Injured List placement for Jeff Samardzija.
The Giants haven't announced the corresponding 40-man move for Cahill yet.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) August 12, 2020
Update: Reliever Andrew Triggs has been designated for assignment to clear the spot on the 40-man roster.
The Giants designated Andrew Triggs for assignment to clear a spot for Trevor Cahill on the 40-man roster.
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) August 12, 2020