Category: MLB

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Second Season in Sacramento “It is what it is”

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Sacramento A’s opening day pitcher Luis Severino goes to the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto on Fri Mar 27, 2026 (AP News photo)

A’s Second Season in Sacramento: “It is what it is”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Athletics open their 2026 season on March 27 in Toronto against the American League Champions, the Blue Jays, on a five-game road trip to open the new season, three in Toronto and two in Atlanta, then return home on April 3 for their first home game of the new season against the Houston Astros.

The city of Sacramento during its first season (2025) was not what the team expected. The team drew 768,464 fans at their 2025 Sacramento debut, the lowest in MLB, averaging 9,487 fans per game at Sutter Health Park. Note: LA Dodgers Stadium parking lot regularly accommodates 18,000 cars.

Seems like the A’s never took Sacramento seriously, scheduled to play there for only three years, like leasing a car, for 2025-26-27, and then move to the very hot confines of Las Vegas, Nevada. The A’s never joined the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce (English or Spanish).

The people of Sacramento are “lukewarm” about this team. The media coverage of the Athletics writes about a team that has not obviously embraced the area, and they often report on that lack of enthusiasm. Some expected A’s fans to travel from Oakland and other Bay Area cities/areas to see the A’s play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento..

Some A’s fans might have left the Bay Area for Sacramento, seeking a cheaper cost of living, but there are not enough of those fans to fill seats in Sacramento. A’s team performance on the field was about what I expected, an exciting offense and…that’s it. Not a serious contender.

When your ace in the starting rotation is Luis Severino (I like Luis he is a good guy), they are totally exposed at their level of pitching, which is not at the level of a serious contender. Players have complained about the facilities in Sacramento, but they get paid to wear a major-league uniform and play in a minor-league park.

The largest minority group in the Sacramento area is Hispanic, representing roughly 24–30% of the population. Within the City of Sacramento specifically, Hispanic residents are the largest minority. In 2025, A’s reduced the Spanish radio broadcast to one broadcaster, pure tokenism, so the team can say: “yes, we have a Spanish broadcast”, disrespect to a sport whose some of their biggest stars are Hispanic and over 30% of all players in MLB are Latinos.

Spanish is the second language of baseball and in the US overall. But for the A’s, they might as well be playing in West Virginia, the smallest Latino population in the US. There is little local excitement, and ticket sales for the 2026 season were immediately met with flash sales, such as “No Fees” promotions for April and May, highlighting a lack of demand.

So, in simple language, it is a bleak situation The very common phrase “it is what it is” signifies acceptance of an unchangeable, difficult situation, used commonly in business, politics, and sports, and sometimes bad news in medical reports, since the 1990’s, and in the case of the 2026 version of the Athletics, It is what it is.

SF Gate recent headline: The A’s pitiful attendance now hurting Sacramento’s other baseball team.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Rafael Devers

Giants rout Sultanes de Monterrey 10-2 in penultimate preseason tuneup

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Photo credit: SF Bay News Lab

By Vince Cestone

The San Francisco Giants defeated the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League 10-2 on Monday night in their second-to-last spring training game at Oracle Park.

Even though the Giants were playing a non-major league team, it’s important for them to play good baseball–and that they did.

The Giants opened the scoring in the third inning with three runs against Sultanes starting pitcher Stephen Tarpley. Tarpley was most-recently in the Mets organization in 2021. Giants first baseman Casey Schmitt, who went 2-for-3 on Monday night, started the inning with a single. After catcher Patrick Bailey hit a ground ball base hit in between first and second, Schmitt advanced to third.

Then came up roster hopeful Jared Oliva, who came into the game hitting .375 for the spring. Oliva executed a an RBI bunt single to give the Giants their first run. The Giants scored after the very next batter Luis Arraez grounded into a fielder’s choice, but a throwing error by Sultanes shortstop Coco Montes allowed the second run to come in. The Giants got their third run later in the inning after right fielder Jung Hoo Lee hit a ground ball double just inside first.

The Giants tacked on another run in the fifth inning with the help of another throwing error by Montes off the bat of Matt Chapman.

The Sultanes scored their only two runs in the fifth inning on an RBI single by designated hitter Ramiro Pena and another RBI single by Josh Lester.

Then, the Giants played home run derby. Shortstop Willy Adames led off the sixth with a home run off of Sultanes pitcher Jake Higginbotham. But an encouraging sign came off the bat of Giants top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who launched a booming, opposite-field three-run homer to make the score 8-2 in the eighth inning. Eldridge had recently been sent down to the minor leagues and will start the season in Triple-A Sacramento. Tyler Fitzgerald followed with a two-run home run two batters later.

On the pitching side, nine Giants pitchers threw one inning each. All San Francisco pitchers threw scoreless innings, except for Carson Seymour, who gave up two runs and four hits in his inning of work. Spencer Bivens, who started the game, Tristan Beck, and Marques Johnson each had two strikeouts and no walks in their innings. Caleb Killian, who is opening eyes in spring training, pitched a perfect fifth inning. In 9 1/3 innings pitched in spring training, Killian came into the game with a 0.96 ERA and 11 strikeouts.

Up next, the Giants will conclude their Cactus League schedule on Tuesday night against the Sultanes once again. First pitch is at 6:45 p.m. The Giants will open the regular season on Wednesday night against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park. Game time will be 5:05 p.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Now playing for the Toros de Tijuana, Wilmer Flores

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Former San Francisco Giant Wilmer Flores and the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez at Oracle Park in San Francisco after being honored by the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Now playing for the Toros de Tijuana, Wilmer Flores

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Do not expect to see Wilmer Flores in a Giants uniform this Wednesday at Oracle Park, as the Giants open the 2026 season against the New York Yankees.

Wilmer Flores played for 13 years in the Major Leagues, the last five with the San Francisco Giants, but a series of changes this offseason, as the Giants acquired Luis Arraez, and also pivoted toward younger players, like Bruce Eldridge, plus veteran Rafael Devers playing every day in the infield, limited the options for Flores.

Although, as of today, the contract of Flores with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League has not been made available, they tend to be much lower than those in the US Major Leagues. Wilmer Flores with the Giants 2023 to 2025, signed a 3-year $16.5 million extension ($6.5 in 2023, $6.5 in 2024, and $3.5 million player option for 2025.

The San Francisco Giants did not retain the Venezuelan fan-favorite infielder Wilmer Flores. Last season, Flores hit for .241 with 16 home runs and 71 runs batted in. Because he is a proven major league talent, the potential is for a large salary, but not close to these major league contracts.

Where Flores will play. La Liga Mexicana de Béisbol (The Mexican Baseball League) comprises 20 teams, divided into 10 in the North Zone and 10 in the South Zone. playing a total of 93 games, the season begins in April and ends in September, the championship is named “La Serie del Rey” (The King’s Series), which consists of the best of 7 games. If compared to the US Professional Baseball Leagues, the Liga Mexicana is at a US Triple-A level.

On September 16, 2022, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame presented Wilmer Flores with the José Uribe Award. The award honored character and sportsmanship, with a ceremony held at Oracle Park prior to the Giants game.I had the honor to present to him on behalf of the HHBM.

Liga Mexicana de Béisbol titles. Top two winners:

Diablos Rojos de México 18 titles—-Tigres de Quintana Roo (12)— Among other teams,—The Toros de Tijuana 2 Titles—

Quote: If you’re not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he’ll be ready to take your job.” — Brooks Robinson (The ultimate minor league grind quote

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap:Eldridge shines in River Cats’ 2-1 win over Giants

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San Francisco Giants Maui Ahuna (17) sends the ball flying agianst the Sacramento River Cats at Sutter Health Park in West Sacarmento in Spring Training exhibition game on Sun Mar 22, 2026 (San Francisco Giants X photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

WEST SACRAMENTO–Bryce Eldridge may not have made the Giants’ opening day roster, but he gave the Giants and their fans a taste of what is to come when he finally gets back to the big leagues, as he went 2-for-3 with a home run in the River Cats’ 2-1 win over the Giants in what was the fifth exhibition game played between the Giants and River Cats here at Sutter Health Park.

The Giants first played the River Cats in 2016, and beat them 8-4. The River Cats won the next two matchups in 2018 and 2024, and the Giants evened things up with a win last season.

The two teams have alternated between being the home and road teams in past matchup, and tonight, the River Cats were the home team in their park. Though, the River Cats sat in the visiting first base dugout.

This was a game that honestly felt like a River Cats’ intrasquad game, as many of the hitters in the Giants’ starting lineup tonight will likely be suiting up for the River Cats this season. As a result, the game was evenly matched.

Tyler Mahle made the Giants for the Giants, and took a no-hitter into the bottom of the fourth inning. That was when Bryce Eldridge put the River Cats on the board with a towering home run to right-center field. Mahle ended up going five innings in his final exhibition tuneup, allowing just one run and one hit.

You could even say the River Cats had the advantage, as the Giants’ squad tonight consisted of guys in double and single-a. However, the major leaguers took the ball on the pitching side. In addition to Mahle, we saw other major leaguers, such as JT Brubaker and Keaton Winn, pitch scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh.

The Giants manufactured a run to tie the game in the top of the eighth. Nate Furman, also recently cut by the Giants, put the River Cats back ahead with a home run to right in the bottom of the eighth.

The Giants—or to be honest, the orange and black side of the River Cats’ squad tonight with all of the single and double-a guys in—were unable to come through in the top of the ninth, and the River Cats won 2-1.

That means the River Cats now lead the overall series 3-2.

Now that the two teams have played each other three years in a row now, perhaps this will continue next year. Though, with the fact that the Giants could have a later start to next season thanks to the likely-impending lockout, perhaps we will not see this again until 2028.

As for the Giants, they are going to wrap up their exhibition slate in a quite-exciting way, as the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League will come to Oracle Park for a pair of exhibition games, tomorrow and Tuesday. Both games will start at 6:45 p.m.

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Cubs Suzuki to miss opening day; Met’s pitcher Manaea to the bullpen; plus more news

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Team Japan’s Seiya Suzuki (right) comes off the field after going in a little too hard after a slide in the first inning of the World Baseball Classic against Venezuela on Sat Mar 14, 2026. Suzuki will miss opening day due to a ligament sprain in his right knee. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 Seiya Suzuki will not make the season opener due to a minor ligament strain in his right knee he suffered during the World Baseball Classic according Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell. Counsell is waiting to see if the club will put Suzuki on the IL. Suzuki also will miss opening day.

#2 Former Oakland A’s pitcher and New York Mets left hand pitcher Sean Manaea will start the season in the bullpen according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. Manaea’s role will be he will follow the starting pitcher pitching mulitiple innings. The Mets announced their starting rotation from one to five, Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga.

#3 The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to find talented players, shortstop 19 year old Konnor Griffin is one of them although he will have to wait according Bucs manager Don Kelly who said the decision to leave Griffin off the opening day roster was extremely difficult. Griffin is the No.1 prospect but will sent down to triple A to start the season.

#4 Charlie wanted to get your take of the announcement that the Sacramento A’s will start Luis Severino opening day against the Toronto Blue Jays on Fri Mar 27th. Severino is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA this spring. In two games Severino has pitched seven innings, surrendered three hits, one run, and struck out ten hitters. How do you like Severino’s chances this upcoming season?

#5 Talk about Rafael Devers a guy that the San Francisco Giants will be depending on for runs, hits and home run. In spring Devers is hitting .172, with five hits, a homerun, and five RBIs. Also talk about him getting some looks at first base this season.

Charlie O does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Darryl Strawberry from the Diamond to the Pulpit

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Former New York Mets superstar Darryl Strawberry addresses the media during his retirement ceremony on June 1, 2024 at Citi Field in New York (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Darryl Strawberry from the Diamond to the Pulpit

By Amaury Pi-González

Darryl Strawberry, a former MLB superstar, had a long, successful baseball career for 17 years (1983-1999), a 4-time World Series champion 1986, 1996, 1999, 2000. He was an 8-time All Star, also Rookie of the Year, and to this day is the Mets’ all-time leader in home runs with 252 and RBIs 733.

But his personal life was many highs and lows, with addiction to redemption as an ordained minister. It has been a rough go for one of the best players in MLB for 17 years. Especially during that 1986 season.

I covered the All-Star Game in Houston. Strawberry attracted a lot of attention with another young player from the American League, José Canseco, who later that season won the AL Rookie of the Year award.

From fame in Major League Baseball to battling alcohol, drug addiction, cancer, and prison time. He found a new life with faith, sobriety, and his marriage to his third wife. As a guest preacher on Sunday, March 22, at SBN (SonLife Broadcasting Network), a Christian multi-media network that broadcasts worldwide and is founded by Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart.

Darryl, an ordained minister, gave his testimony about his aforementioned struggles, including growing up with an alcoholic father, physical abuse, and using sports to escape his environment. Darryl Strawberry: Mets 1983-1990, Dodgers 1991-1993, Giants 1994, Yankees 1995-1999.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Notebook 1981 Players Strike

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Former Oakland A’s left fielder and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson (left) and the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) take time out for a photo at the Oakland Coliseum (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez Oakland A’s Spanish radio)

From My Notebook 1981 Players Strike

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

A lockout following the 2026 MLB season is considered “almost guaranteed” 90% chance by union officials,

 The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires Dec. 1, 2026, with major disputes expected over a potential salary cap, team revenue sharing, and escalating contract numbers. 

History of Work stoppages: (Nine (9) Four lockouts and Five strikes. Mostly focused on free agency, salary arbitration, pension funds, and revenue sharing.

There have been nine major work stoppages in Major League Baseball (MLB) history between owners and the players’ union, consisting of four lockouts and five strikes. These labor disputes have primarily focused on free agency, salary arbitration, revenue sharing, and pension funds, with the 1994-95 strike and 2021-22 lockout being among the most severe.

However, the one I mostly remember was the very interesting 1981 season work stoppage. A 50-day strike from June 12 to July 31, 1981. It was the second strike in MLB history, and 712 games were cancelled, which is more than one-third of the season. Billy Martin was the A’s manager, and it was known as “Billy Ball”

The A’s won the American League West first-half title as they swept the Kansas City Royals 3-0 in the Division Series and later were swept by the New York Yankees 3-0. The A’s played both teams on the road at KC and at NY. Julio González was my broadcast and traveling partner during this very unusual season.

Rickey Henderson was having a very good year. He told me he was not happy with the labor dispute, but he was having a good season, and the labor dispute did not distract him from his play on the field. Was he right?

Well, in 1981, Rickey Henderson became a big star, which eventually led to his induction into the Hall of Fame years later. Rickey finished second in AL MVP voting, led the AL in hits with 135, runs with 89, and steals with 56, while hitting .319, fourth best in the American League.

 Rickey Henderson was Billy Martin’s favorite player; Rickey exemplifies the type of hustle that Billy always admired. As a player, Billy Martin was a hard-nosed, scrappy type of player; he loved players who hustled on the field, and Ricky Henderson was that type of player.

Note: Oakland A’s Andy Dolich’s creative marketing campaigns, which included the now-famous ‘BillyBall’ radio and television ads. Andy was the best executive the A’s ever had inside their marketing department. Oakland A’s fans can’t forget the song “Billy-Ball, the lyrics were a parody song in the tune of Charlie Brown by The Coasters. His work on the Oakland A’s “BillyBall” was a big hit. 

Andy Dolich won a Clio Award for his work on the Oakland A’s “BillyBall” campaign during his time as a marketing executive with the team in the 1980s.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

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Oracle Park

SLIDESHOW: Food, mariachi, Chick-fil-A and more: What’s new at Oracle Park in 2026

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By Vince Cestone

Slideshow is at the bottom of the article (photos by the author Vince Cestone)

2026 isn’t just a new season on the field for the San Francisco Giants, but fans also get to try some new things at Oracle Park this season.

From Lucky Fries, to Chick-fil-A signage on the “fowl” poles, and to even an in-house mariachi band, the Oracle Park faithful have plenty of things to look forward to in 2026.

Among the highlights is an in-house mariachi band that will play at Oracle Park during all Saturday home games. The Giants will also wear a new Gigantes jersey on the field, which honors the Latino community, the team said. Local talent performing on these Saturday home games include Mariachi San Francisco, La Explosiva Sonora MX, and Comando Único. DJ collective Sazón Libre, who is based in the Mission District, will provide the music during the Fiesta Gigante Saturdays.

On the food side, the Giants are debuting Lucky Fries, a Birria Loaded Grilled Cheese sandwich, a new carvery, a dessert chimichanga, and two new hot dogs, among other items. Sports Radio Service’s Marko Ukalovic’s favorite was the Lucky Fries. Giants writer Vince Cestone agrees. In the slideshow below, you can see all the ingredients of each food item. The Giants even are debuting a new wine club.

Another noticeable change are both the left and right field “fowl” poles. Chick-fil-A has vertical signage in classic Chick-fil-A style on the two foul poles. Both foul poles read, “Chikin iz fare.”

The Giants will open the 2026 season on March 25 against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park.

Here’s a slide show of some of the new happenings at Oracle Park this season:

  • Giants in-house mariachi band
  • Giants in-house mariachi band
  • Giants in-house mariachi band
  • Birria loaded quesadilla
  • Birria loaded grilled cheese sandwich
  • Birria loaded grilled cheese sandwich
  • Beef Bulgogi
  • Beef Bulgogi
  • Beef Bulgogi
  • Beef Bulgogi
  • Giants wine club
  • Peruchín Sandwich
  • Peruchín Sandwich
  • Giants wine club
  • Lucky Fries
  • Lucky Fries
  • Lucky Fries
  • Assortment of Oracle Park desserts
  • Dessert chimichanga
  • Assortment of Giants desserts
  • Assortment of Giants desserts
  • Assortment of Giants desserts
  • Orange and Black Hot Dog
  • Char Siu Dog
  • Char Siu Dog
  • Char Siu Dog
  • 999 package
  • Giants 2026 souvenir cups
  • Assortment of Giants food items
  • Hello Kitty palm palm
  • New Chic-Fil-A signage on the left field foul pole.
  • New Chic-Fil-A signage on the right field foul pole.
  • New Chic-Fil-A signage on the right field foul pole.
  • Oracle Park
    Oracle Park on March 18, 2026
  • Oracle Park on March 18, 2026

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How extreme heat is affecting Cactus League play; Can Tigers Skubal set contract records? Plus more news

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Two time Cy Young Award winner Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal could set contract records when he reaches free agency (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How could the extreme heat wave affecting the Cactus League in Arizona change the way teams manage players and schedules during spring training and do you think climate change played a part in the extreme heat?

#2 What factors might lead to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal potentially setting new contract records when he reaches free agency?

#3 How did Chris Sale’s efficient spring training outing help the Atlanta Braves secure a dominant win, and what might it indicate about his readiness for the regular season?

#4 What impact could experimental rule changes in the minor leagues have on the future of Major League Baseball gameplay?

#5 How are spring training matchups—such as the San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres—helping teams evaluate talent and finalize rosters before Opening Day? How much are the Pads Mason Miller and the Giants Logan Webb drawing cards?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Giants report: Checking in on roster hopefuls

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Photo: San Francisco Giants’ Bryce Eldridge smiles as he celebrates his run scored against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By Vince Cestone

The San Francisco Giants will head north at the end of the week, and a few roster hopefuls are still vying for a spot on the 26-man roster.

The Giants will open the season at Oracle Park against the New York Yankees on March 25. Here are a few players hoping to be on the roster when the Giants break camp:

Bryce Eldridge: Although he is hitting only .250 this spring, Eldridge has been doing damage at the plate. In 36 at-bats, he has an impressive .913 OPS and .413 on-base percentage. He has one home run, four doubles, a triple, and nine walks. But of course, the one big issue for Eldrige has always been the strikeouts.

He’s struck out 16 times in 36 plate appearances, including a disappointing ninth-inning punchout on Saturday with a runner at third and one out against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants were down by one run and needed just a sacrifice fly to tie the game, but Eldridge couldn’t deliver. He’ll need to cut down on the strikeouts if he wants to make the team and stay with the club.

The good news is he did walk nine times this spring. He’s also looking pretty good defensively at first base, thanks to the help of infield coach Ron Washington.

Jerar Encarnación: As of late, Encarnación is making a good case for himself to make the team. On Sunday, Encarnación hit a long home run against the Milwaukee Brewers to give the Giants a 3-0 lead, fueling a six-run, second-inning rally. The ball nearly left Scottsdale Stadium.

In 43 at-bats this spring, Encarnación is hitting .302, with two home runs and nine RBIs. He’s only struck out eight times in 43 at-bats, which is an encouraging sign. If he continues his late-spring surge, Encarnación could be a solid DH option off the bench against lefties.

Victor Bericoto: In spring training, there’s always seems to be a surprise player who you didn’t expect to make noise, and Bericoto fits exactly into that mold. Signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2018, Bericoto is hitting .441, with two home runs and 12 RBIs. He has an impressive .444 on-base percentage. His OPS for the spring is an impressive 1.120. While he’s probably destined for Triple-A Sacramento next week, he can perhaps force the issue if he continues his strong play.

Blake Tidwell: Tidwell was looking great at the start of the spring. He was blowing hitters away with his high 90s fastball and looked like he may make the team to help the Giants’ bullpen, which is one of the biggest question marks this season. But as the case with any raw, unproven pitcher, those hopes took a dash. In 5 2/3 innings this spring, he’s given up seven earned runs, eight hits, and five walks. He has struck out 12 batters. His worst outing came on March 8 against the Chicago Cubs, where he gave up four runs in 1 1/3 innings. He walked two but struck out four. He may need a bit more seasoning in Triple-A before joining the big club perhaps later this year.

Matt Gage: Originally drafted by the Giants in 2014, Gage is back this year for his second stint with San Francisco. The Giants signed Gage to minor-league contract last year. In 2025, Gage had a 3.19 ERA in 31 innings pitched for both the Detroit Tigers and Giants. But he had an unimpressive 1.52 WHIP last year.

This spring, the lefty is doing well, which gives him a great shot to make the team. In 5 1/3 innings pitched, Gage has a 3.38 ERA, seven strikeouts, and an impressive 0.56 WHIP. Opponents are only hitting .158 against him this spring. Aside from any major setbacks, there’s a strong chance that Gage is on the Opening Day roster against the Yankees next week.