Giants DFA Joe McCarthy

The San Francisco Giants made a trio of related moves on Thursday, ahead of their series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. And the news came in slowly throughout the course of the day.

First came the exciting news. Catcher Joey Bart — the second overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, and one of the top prospects in baseball — had been called up.

Then came the directly corresponding move. Catcher Tyler Heineman had been optioned to the Alternate Training Site in Sacramento, to make room on the active roster for Bart.

And now the final detail. Outfielder Joe McCarthy has been designated for assignment, to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Bart.

McCarthy was an Opening Day starter for the Giants, and yes, DFA’ing Opening Day starting outfielders is something you’re all too familiar with if you followed the 2019 Giants.

He was a bit of a surprising addition to the Opening Day roster, but with Brandon Belt beginning the year on the Injured List, the Giants wanted to get an extra left-handed bat in the lineup.

McCarthy has shown some bright things in the Minor Leagues, but has never put up big offensive numbers. That showed up at the Major League level, as he went 0-10 with 5 strikeouts during his short stint. He generally looked overmatched, and was optioned when Belt returned. It was his MLB debut, so he’s still waiting for his first hit.

The Giants have been vocal in their support of McCarthy, so it seems likely that they’ll outright him to Sacramento if he A) clears waivers (which seems overwhelmingly likely), and B) accepts the assignment.

So we may not have seen the last of the 26 year old.