The San Francisco Giants made a series of moves on Friday shortly before their (hopeful) series opener against the Washington Nationals. Left-handed reliever Caleb Baragar has been activated from the 10-day Injured List, and will be available out of the bullpen.
To make room on the roster for Baragar, infielder Thairo Estrada has been optioned to AAA Sacramento. Joining him there will be left-handed starting pitcher Scott Kazmir, who cleared waivers after being designated for assignment, and has been outrighted.
ROSTER MOVES: Caleb Baragar returned from his rehab assignment & reinstated from the 10-day IL.
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 11, 2021
IF Thairo Estrada optioned to triple-A Sacramento.
LHP Scott Kazmir cleared waivers and outrighted to triple-A Sacramento.
Baragar’s return gives the Giants another option out of the bullpen, and it will be interesting to see how he’s used and how he does. With an ERA of just 0.52, a lot of fans have been hoping to see the young lefty get more high-leverage opportunities.
Yet it’s easy to find the Giants hesitation, as Baragar has walked 11 batters — to just 14 strikeouts — in 17.1 innings, and has a WHIP of 1.385. That said, his FIP of 3.65 suggests that, while he hasn’t been electric, he’s still been decent.
As for Estrada, he only got one plate appearance during his brief stint on the Major League team. But if he keeps hitting in Sacramento the way he was before his call-up — he’s slashing .381/.435/.629 — he’ll probably be back eventually.
Finally, the Kazmir move was predictable but still good to see. The fact that Kazmir started two games for the Giants suggests that they view him as more than just a feel-good story, so he’ll get to keep improving in Sacramento and wait for another opportunity. It would seem likely that we see him again this season, too.