Category: San Francisco Giants

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.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Roupp settles down after rough first inning in 6-1 loss to Reds, Birdsong hopes to only miss a few weeks

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San Francisco pitcher Landen Roupp had the starting duties against the Cincinnati Reds at Scottsdale Stadium on Fri Mar 13, 2026 in Cactus League action (San Francisco Giants image)

By Stephen Ruderman

SCOTTSDALE AZ–Landen Roupp was able to settle down after a tough first inning for a solid start, but the Giants still came up short in a 6-1 loss to the Reds at Scottsdale Stadium.

Landen Roupp is competing for a spot in the Giants’ rotation, and he took the ball against the Reds for a late-afternoon affair on a warm afternoon here in Scottsdale. The Reds got to Roupp for a pair of runs on a base-hit by JJ Bleday in the top of the first inning.

Fortunately, Roupp was able to settle down and throw a pair of scoreless innings in the second and third. Roupp gave up four hits. He walked three, and struck out four.

Erik Miller struck out the side in a scoreless top of the fourth. Blade Tidwell, who is competing for a spot on the roster, gave up a run in the top of the fifth. Tidwell, like Miller, struck out the side. Nick Margevicius pitched the final four innings, giving up three runs, two of them earned.

On the offensive side, Jerar Encarnacion went 2-for-4, and knocked in the Giants’ lone run with a double in the bottom of the seventh. Matt Chapman went 1-for-2 with a double, as did his replacement at third, Parks Harber. Will Brennan continued his sneaky-good spring with a 1-for-3 night, and he scored the Giants’ lone run.

Drew Gilbert went 0-for-4 tonight, and he is 1-for-7 since his return from his left shoulder injury. While Gilbert struck out in his first two at-bats today, he made solid contact in a fly out to fairly-deep right-center in the bottom of the seventh, and he fouled off a pair of two-strike pitches before grounding out in the bottom of the ninth.

What people have to remember too about Gilbert is that he is not even playing the field yet. A 1-for-7 since his return is hardly something for him or anybody else to be concerned about.

Birdsong hopes to only miss a few weeks:

Hayden Birdsong has been sidelined with what originally was reported to be soreness in his right elbow. However, Birdsong’s agent, Scott Boras, says it is not his elbow, and Birdsong plans to get a second option. Birdsong also said that he hopes to miss only a few weeks.

Two more players cut:

The Giants cut two more players today, both of them pitchers. Left-hander Juan Sanchez, who escaped walking the bases load in his appearance against the Chicago White Sox last night, has been cut. Right-hander Wilkin Ramos has also been cut.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: First day of cuts ends with 3-3 tie against White Sox

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Sabin Cebellos (2) shares congratulations from teammate after a Giants win from Wed Mar 11, 2026 against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. The Giants and the Chicago White Sox ended up in a 3-3 knot at Scottsdale Stadium on Thu Mar 12, 2026 (San Francisco Giants X photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

SCOTTSDALE AZ–The Giants ended up tied with the White Sox 3-3 in a nine-inning affair from Scottsdale Stadium.

If you are wondering why we ended up tied, spring training games rarely go extra innings these days. So let’s look at how we got here.

Trevor McDonald got the start, and went four innings, giving two runs on four hits. He walked one, and struck out four. Both runs came via the solo home run. Lenyn Sosa lined one out to left in the top of the second, and Derek Hill hit one out the other way to right in the top of the third.

Matt Gage, who is working on a new splitter here in camp, gave up a hit and struck out two in the top of the fifth. Keaton Winn, who has been pumping the gun this spring, gave up a hit and struck out a guy in a scoreless top of the sixth.

Will Brennan, who has had a sneaky-good camp, got the Giants on the board with a perfectly-placed ground ball base-hit up the middle in the bottom of the fourth. Matt Chapman then lined a two-out, two-strike base-hit to left off Eric Adler to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Chapman ended up going 2-for-3 tonight.

The White Sox scored a run off Tristan Beck in the top of the seventh to take a 3-2 lead.

Left-hander Juan Sanchez, who has an interesting herky-jerky motion, walked the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, but was somehow able to get out of it unscathed. In that inning, Darren Baker, who was over here from the White Sox’ minor league camp, stole second and third. The kid has got some real speed, and he could be quite valuable for a lot of major league teams.

Eric Haase walked with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Jarred Oliva then pinch-ran, and seemed to feel quite inspired by Darren, as he stole second and third as well. Jerar Encarnacion got Oliva in with a sacrifice fly to right-center to tie it, and that would turn out to be it for the night.

Giants make first four cuts:

Prior to the game, Manager Tony Vitello announced the first four cuts of camp. Among the casualties were right-handed pitchers Will Bednar and Trent Harris; catcher Diego Cartaya; and outfielder Bo Davidson, one of the Giants’ top prospects.

Birdsong sidelined with elbow trouble:

Giants’ pitcher Hayden Birdsong finally had his first solid outing of the spring on Tuesday, but is now being sidelined with a right elbow injury, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. According to Slussler, the Giants will defer to the team’s medical staff before any decisions are made.

Other notes:

Harrison Bader led off tonight in his return from the World Baseball Classic, and went 1-for-2 with a walk.

Rafael Devers went 0-for-4 tonight to make it 0-for-15 on the spring. Hey, he’s coming off an injury, and oh yeah, it’s Spring Training.

Daniel Susac, who is currently locked in the battle for the backup catcher’s role against Jesus Rodriguez, went 1-for-2 with a solid opposite-field base-hit to right and a walk.

Giants report: SF players contributing in World Baseball Classic

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By Vince Cestone

The World Baseball Classic is underway, and a few San Francisco Giants players are contributing on the international stage.

Giants ace Logan Webb pitched the opening game for Team USA on March 7. He went four innings, giving up one hit and one earned run. He had six strikeouts in the game. The lone run Webb gave up came from a home run by Team Brazil’s Lucas Ramirez, the son of Manny Ramirez. USA won the game 15-5.

Giants second base free agent acquisition Luis Arraez is also representing San Francisco well in the WBC. In three games for Team Venezuela, Arraez is 6-for-11, with two home runs and seven RBIs in three games. He has two doubles, a walk, and only struck out one time in classic Arraez fashion. The Giants hope Arraez keeps this up when the regular season starts in two weeks at Oracle Park against the New York Yankees.

San Francisco outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is 5-for-18 in the WBC. He has two doubles over those four games with no strikeouts, which is always a great sign. Serving as the team captain for Team Korea, he was clutch on Tuesday in his team’s 7-2 win against Australia. Lee’s third inning double gave Korea a 3-0 lead. The Giants hope he can be a dynamic presence at the top of the lineup in 2026.

Giants left fielder Helio Ramos is only 1-for-13 with a double for Team Puerto Rico. He has struck out six times, which is almost half the time. The Giants are hoping Ramos can cut down on his strikeouts, but it doesn’t look like that’s been happening at least in the WBC.

New Giants center fielder Harrison Bader is only 3-for-14 in the WBC but has a home run. With Israel, he’s struck out five times and has two RBIs in four games. The Giants hope he can provide athleticism and speed in the outfield for the Giants in 2026. Outfield defense was one of their biggest weaknesses last year.

Reliever Jose Butto has pitched three perfect innings for Venezuela, notching one strikeout. The Giants acquired Butto from the New York Mets in the Tyler Rogers trade. The Giants hope he can help out their bullpen, which is still a big question mark for 2026.

Lastly, for Team Great Britain, Tristan Beck has given up one run in 1 1/3 innings. He has struck out one batter in two games. On Friday, Team Mexico first baseman Jonathan Aranda hit a 346-foot, three-run homer off of Beck that gave them the lead in the eighth inning. Great Britain lost the game 8-2.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants’ prospects have solid day in 5-4 win over Guardians

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong #60 delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark on March 10, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (John Medina Special to the Mercury News)

By Stephen Ruderman

GOODYEAR AZ–The Giants’ prospects showed their worth in San Francisco’s 5-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear AZ on Tuesday.

Drew Gilbert finally returned after missing two weeks due to a left shoulder impingement. He struck out swinging in his first at-bat in the top of the third inning. Though hey, he was a bit rusty, and he was up against Guardians’ ace, Tanner Bibee.

Gilbert grounded out in the top of the fourth, but he singled the other way to left in the top of the seventh. Not a bad return for the Giants’ eccentric young outfielder.

Speaking of Giants’ prospects who hit for contact and don’t strike out much, catcher Jesus Rodriguez was back in the lineup after his big 5-for-7 weekend. 

Rodriguez made a nice two-strike adjustment against Bibee, and lined a high fastball for a base-hit into left-center field in the top of the first. As center-fielder Steven Kwan went over to field it, Rodriguez decided to take a chance, and was able to hustle out a double.

Unfortunately, Rodriguez struck out his next two times. Still, his double in the first was quite impressive, and any team will love a guy who will do anything to take the extra 90 feet. The fight for the Giants’ backup catcher’s rule between Rodriguez and Daniel Susac will be an interesting one.

As for other big prospects, Bryce Eldridge, the biggest of them all, went 1-for-2 with a walk.

Seymour has strong four innings in first start:

Carson Seymour took the ball in his fourth appearance and first start of the spring.

Seymour gave up a run and just two hits over four innings. He walked one, and struck out three.

Birdsong has much-needed solid inning:

Hayden Birdsong pitched a much-needed scoreless inning in the bottom of the sixth.

It is no secret that the last seven and a half months have been a nightmare for Birdsong. After not being able to record a single out after facing six batters in his start against the Braves in Atlanta on July 21 of last year, Birdsong did not pitch again in the big leagues the rest of the season. 

To make matters worse, Birdsong’s struggles continued this spring. He gave up five runs over just a third of an inning to the Seattle Mariners when he started the Giants’ cactus league opener on Feb. 21 in Peoria. He then gave up three runs in a relief inning against the Colorado Rockies on Feb. 26 in Scottsdale. 

Birdsong made his first appearance in 13 days when he was brought in for the bottom of the sixth. It was no easy task, as he immediately had to face one of the best hitters in baseball in Steven Kwan. Birdsong got out to a quick 0-2 count, but Kwan worked the count full. Kwan then fouled off the next two, but Birdsong got him to ground out to second.

That was a big break for Birdsong, but he faced trouble when Bryan Rocchio immediately followed up Kwan’s strikeout with a double. Birdsong then faced another dangerous hitter in Jose Ramirez, and struck him out. Chase DeLauter grounded out to second, and Birdsong ended up with a scoreless inning.

When you come to the ballpark, you may see something you’ve never seen before:

You know the old saying. When you come to the ballpark, you may see something you’ve never seen before. Well the 4,844 in attendance here at Goodyear Ballpark had two such instances Tuesday.

The Giants had a runner at second in Jared Oliva with two outs in the top of the third with Jesus Rodriguez at the plate. Oliva broke for third, and the throw from Guardians’ catcher David Fry hit Rodriguez’s bat and went out of play.

Since Rodriguez had stood still in his place in the batter’s box, Home Plate Umpire Nic Lentz correctly did not call interference. Of course, since the throw ended up going out of play, Oliva was awarded home plate.

Now, had Rodriguez and/or his bat moved while Fry was throwing and the same thing happened, Rodriguez would have been called out for interference, and Oliva would have been returned to second base.

Then with one out and no one on in the top of the eighth, Grant McCray hit a ground ball that hit off the glove of Guardians’ first-baseman Juan Brito. The ball ricochetted over to pitcher Pedro Avila, who rolled over to the bag at first for one of the most incredible 3-1 putouts you will ever see. 

Even in Spring Training, you may see something you’ve never seen before when you came to the park. Tuesday, we were fortunate enough to see two of them.

Other notes:

  • The Giants scored two more unearned runs off Bibee in the top of the fourth.
  • Tyler Fitzgerald made it a three-run fourth for the Giants with a two-run home run down the left field line off Guardians’ reliever Steven Perez.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Yankees go with Fried to start on opening day Mar 25; Did Skubal step away to join Tigers in spring training; plus more news

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New York Yankees left hand pitcher Max Fried will be the starting pitcher against the San Francisco Giants on opening day Wed Mar 25, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Will New York Yankees’ new Opening Day pitcher LHP Max Fried lead the rotation to a strong start? .

#2 Which players could become surprise trade candidates before the 2026 MLB deadline?

#3 Why did Tarik Skubal leave Team USA after his World Baseball Classic appearance? The Detroit Tigers ace made headlines after stepping away from Team USA duties following his WBC debut.

#4 Which players are standing out in spring training as Opening Day approaches? Early performances—like big home runs and defensive plays—are drawing attention as teams finalize their rosters for the start of the 2026 season.

#5 MLB questions specifically about the Dodgers and Giants rivalry. The Dodgers multiple World Series wins and the Giants new manager Tony Vitello will he be able to get the Giants to the post season?

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

Quick afternoon in Scottsdale, as Angels beat Giants 2-0 in spring training version of pitcher’s duel

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San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge is in camp and is the most anticipated propect in camp (Bay Area News Group photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

SCOTTSDALE AZ–Robbie Ray was a bit shaky over four no-hit innings, and the Angels scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to hand the Giants just their third loss of the spring in a very-quick two-hour-and-11-minute game on a spectacular partly-cloudy day at Scottsdale Stadium..

Ray threw a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, and a scoreless top of the second. He was less sharp in the third, when he walked two, but he still got out of the inning unscathed. 

Ray then went into the fourth inning for the first time this spring. He walked two with one out, and then Christian Moore hit a bullet to third that was snagged by Matt Chapman, who threw to second to double off Vaughn Grisson for a spectacular inning-ending double play.

Ray threw 56 pitches overall.

Giants’ offense goes silent on live day at Scottsdale Stadium:

It was surprising to see the Giants’ offense go cold on a day where the ball was flying out during batting practice, but the Giants were limited to just three hits today.

Rafael Devers returned today, after missing 12 days due to a tight left hamstring. In his return today, Devers went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts. However, he was hammering the ball during batting practice. Matt Chapman and Patrick Bailey also went 0-for-3.

There was hardly a cloud in the sky during batting practice, but it turned into a gorgeous partly-cloudy day here in Scottsdale. It was the most-perfect weather for baseball you could ask for. However, with the fact that some thunderstorms are heading into the valley tonight, perhaps the higher humidity—26%, but rather-high for the desert—kept the ball in the park during the game.

Drew Gilbert cleared to DH:

Prior to the game, Manager Tony Vitello said that outfielder Drew Gilbert was cleared by doctors to take at-bats as a designated hitter.

Gilbert has been out since Feb. 25 with a left shoulder impingement. He has been working out at the Giants’ practice facility.

Vitello indicated that Gilbert could be back in the lineup as soon as tomorrow or Wednesday. However, he also said that the team is trying to play it cautiously.

Jesus Rodriguez making impression in camp, and shines in Giants’ 9-5 win over Cubs

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San Francisco Giants center fielder Will Brennan (7) rounds third base against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa AZ on Sun Mar 8, 2026 (San Francisco Giants X photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

MESA–Over the last year, Buster Posey has greatly improved the Giants’ farm system, and those improvements, particularly Jesus Rodriguez, shined Sunday in the Giants’ 9-5 win over the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa.

On July 30 of last year, the Giants traded closer Camilo Doval to the Yankees. In return, they got a young catcher and third-baseman in Jesus Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a contact hitter, who does not strike out often, and can hit over .300.

Since the start of camp, Daniel Susac has been the favorite to be the backup catcher to Patrick Bailey. Until yesterday, Rodriguez had been off to a rough start, and went 2-for-12 in his first eight games.

Saturday—in the Giants’ other split-squad game, which was against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick—Rodriguez got to start. The young catcher took full advantage of it, and showed just what he can do. Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs.

Tony Vitello gave Rodriguez another start Sunday, this time as the designated hitter. Rodriguez’s afternoon did not get off to the greatest start. He flew out to right-center field in his first at-bat in the top of the first inning. He then drew a walk off Cubs’ left-hander Luke Little to lead off the top of the fourth, but was picked off at first base on what was a questionable move by Little.

Rodriguez stepped up against Connor Schultz in the top of the sixth, following a lead-off home run by Grant McCray. Rodriguez hit a home run of his own to left-center field. Those two home runs were part of a four-run top of the sixth for the Giants, which made the difference today. Infielder Buddy Kennedy hit a home run as well in the sixth. His was a two-run shot to left.

Rodriguez capped off his afternoon with a line-drive base-hit to center with two outs in the top of the seventh. All in all, it was a 2-for-3 afternoon for Rodriguez, with an RBI, and a walk.

It is safe to say that Rodriguez will get some more playing time as camp winds down over the next two weeks. Daniel Susac, Rodriguez’s main competition for the backup catcher’s role, went 1-for-3, and upped his average to .350. Rodriguez is 7-for-19 overall this spring, and is hitting .368. This could turn out to be a big decision for Vitello.

Landen Roupp solid in second spring start:

Landen Roupp, who made 22 starts for the Giants last season, made his second start of the spring today.

Roupp struck out four over three shutout innings in his first start back on Feb. 24 against the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe. Sunday, he made his first appearance in nearly two weeks.

Roupp got off to a rough start in the bottom of first. Michael Busch nearly had extra bases to lead off the inning, but center-fielder Will Brennan made a spectacular sliding catch at the track in left-center with his back completely to the infield. Nico Heorner then fisted a double down the left field line.

Roupp retired the next two, and then walked Dansby Swanson. Former Giant Michael Conforto came up, and grounded a base-hit up the middle to knock in Heorner.

Roupp then threw 1-2-3 innings in the second and third to wrap up what was a solid afternoon. Roupp went three innings, and gave up a run on two hits. He walked one, and struck out 2.

Blade Tidwell rocked in third appearance of camp:

Blade Tidwell, who came along with Drew Gilbert in the Tyler Rogers deal with the Mets last July, came in for his third outing of the spring in the bottom of the fourth.

Tidwell, once a starter, is now being looked at as a reliever. Tidwell threw a shutout inning in the Giants’ cactus league opener against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria on Feb. 21. He then gave up two runs over two innings against the Colorado Rockies five days later in Scottsdale, on Feb. 26.

Sunday was a day to completely forget for Tidwell. Like Roupp, Tidwell was coming off significant rest, as he had not pitched in 11 days. Perhaps that contributed to his nightmare outing Sunday.

The Cubs manufactured a run against Tidwell in the bottom of the fourth, and then put up a three spot on him in the bottom of the fifth. After Cubs’ catcher Moises Ballesteros knocked in a pair with a base-hit with two outs, Tidwell was pulled.

Tidwell gave up four runs and five hits over an inning and two thirds. He walked two, and struck out four.

First time at Sloan Park:

Sunday, I finally got to see Sloan Park for the first time.


It opened in 2014, and has the exact same dimensions as Wrigley Field, but without the bricks and ivey on the walls. Cubs’ fans have packed this place, and have made it perhaps the top destination in the Cactus League since.

There was a reason this park was on my bucket list. Beyond right field, you have a beautiful view of the mountains east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Beyond left field, behind the grass where fans sit, is a two-story building, which is mostly painted in the same red color of the bricks that make up Wrigley Field’s outfield wall. 

The first story consists of concession stands and a Cubs team shop. The second is a rooftop club, featuring two bars, where fans can sit and take in the game.

For any fan coming to Arizona for Spring Training, Sloan Park is a must-visit.

Other notes:

  • With their win today, the Giants are now 13-2 on the spring. They are two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the best record in Spring Training
  • Outfielder Luis Matos, who is out of options, has been off to a torrid start this spring. 

Matos came into yesterday’s game hitting .450. However, he took 0-for-2s, both yesterday against the Rangers, and today. He was also hit by a pitch his first time up today in the top of the second.

  • After a 3-for-3 game against the Rangers yesterday, outfielder Jerar Encarnacion went 2-for-4 today to get his average up to .300.
  • Reliever Keaton Winn pitched 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh, and struck out two.
  • As for other prospects, infielder Parks Harber went 1-for-2, and put the Giants on the board with a two-run home run to right-center in the top of the fifth.

San Francisco Giants recap: Fun day in Scottsdale results in Giants’ 7-5 cactus league win over Rangers

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San Francisco Giants’ Adrian Houser throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Phoenix.Chris Carlson/AP

By Stephen Ruderman

SCOTTSDALE AZ–It was a fun day at Scottsdale Stadium, as the sun shined bright on a perfect day for baseball, and the Giants’ regulars exercised perfect fundamentals in what turned out to be a 7-5 Cactus League win for the Giants over the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers came all the way from across town in Surprise, and thus did something very rare in Spring Training. They took batting practice in another team’s park.

Two former Rangers’ managers were on hand in new Giants’ coach Ron Washington, and former Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy, who is back in the organization as a special advisor. Considering that Bochy just managed the Rangers over the last three seasons, and guided them to the world championship in 2023, it was no surprise to see him get embraced by his former players.

Prior to the game, during batting practice, Giants’ hitters were laying down bunts, and lining the ball the opposite way. It is part of the hitting approach of new Giants’ hitting coach Hunter Mense. Mense spent the last four years as the assistant hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, and his small ball approach played a key role in getting the Blue Jays to the World Series last season.

Prior to the game, it was chilly, and the wind was howling in from center field, which is quite uncommon in this ballpark. By gametime, the winds subsided, and the temperatures climbed up into the 70s.

Left-hander Carson Whisenhunt made the start for the Giants, and threw three shutout innings, giving up just one hit, and striking out five. Mense’s small ball approach was on full display in a three-run bottom of the fourth inning, when Jerar Encarnacion and Willy Adames kept the line moving with RBI base-hits.

In terms of relief pitchers, Spencer Bivens pitched through a jam in the top of the fourth. Ryan Walker, who is the favorite to reclaim the closer’s job this season, threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth. Left-hander Matt Gage struggled, as he gave up two runs in the top of the sixth.

The Rangers scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 5-4 lead, but the Giants’ non-roster invitees and minor leaguers responded with three runs in the bottom of the eighth, and the Giants won it 7-5.

The Giants were playing a split squad, and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks over at Talking Stick, 7-4. Infielder Josuar Gonzalez, one of the Giants’ top prospects, hit a double in his first cactus league at-bat in that game.

Of course these games don’t count, but the Giants are 12-2 on the spring.

Victor Bericoto

Giants report: Outfielder Victor Bericoto making strong impression in spring training

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Photo credit: MLB.com

By Vince Cestone

As it always seems to be in spring training, there’s one player who you least expect that makes a strong impression. And for the San Francisco Giants, that player is non-roster invitee Victor Bericoto.

Bericoto has been making loud contact all spring. He is 8-for-14, with two home runs. He is a long shot to make the team when they go north, but you never know if one of the Giants’ main outfielders suffers an injury. If that happens, Bericoto may have his shot on Opening Day if he keeps up his successful spring training at the plate.

The Giants signed Bericoto as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2018. He cost the Giants $25,000. During that time, the Giants also signed current roster member Luis Matos and former Giants infielder Marco Luciano, who is now in the New York Yankees organization.

Before Monday’s game, Bericoto had 9 RBIs in seven games, with an impressive 1.642 OPS. His most impressive season in the minors came in 2023, where he hit 27 home runs and had a .272 batting average in 122 games. Bericoto’s 456 at-bats were split between the Eugene Emeralds (High-A affiliate) and the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A affiliate). He had a solid combined .840 OPS that season.

Bericoto was in Triple-A Sacramento last season, only hitting .196 in 46 at-bats. He had one home run and a double but did not draw a walk in his Triple-A stint. He probably will start 2026 in Sacramento, unless he continues his hot-hitting spring and the Giants decide otherwise.

Even though it’s spring training, Bericoto hit a grand slam against the Dodgers on Friday which will always get attention even if the games don’t count. His two home runs leads the team in that category.

Bericoto, 24, is a converted catcher who plays left field, right field, and also some first base. It will be interesting to see where he ranks in MLB Pipeline’s top 30. That list has not yet been released in 2026.

This is Bericoto’s fifth spring training with the Giants. He could be an intriguing option if he’s on the Opening Day roster at Oracle Park. Opening Day is March 25 against the New York Yankees.