Tag: San Francisco Giants

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O: How will Tatum’s return from Achilles injury impact the Celtics; A’s showcasing in Vegas in exhibition play; plus more news

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Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum has returned after suffering an Achilles injury. Here he is blowing kisses to fans and playing against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half on Fri Mar 6, 2026 at the Boston Garden (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:

#1 How might Jayson Tatum’s return from a long Achilles injury impact the Boston Celtics’ playoff chances and team chemistry during the final stretch of the regular season?

#2 What factors usually enable teams to complete massive comebacks like the Spurs’ 25-point rally against the LA Clippers on Friday night, and what does it reveal about their resilience and in-game adjustments?

#3 The Sacramento Kings snapped a three game losing streak Sunday night defeating the Chicago Bulls 126-110. The Kings in recent games have been heavily dependent on Precious Achiuwa, Russell Westbrook, and Malik Monk.

#4 Turning to Major League Baseball the Sacramento A’s are playing a two game set in Las Vegas. On Saturday they lost to the Angles 3-0 and Sunday they played their split squad against the Angels all at Aviators Park in Las Vegas. How much was this series to get a measuring stick on local interest for the A’s who will be coming to Vegas in 2028?

#5 The San Francisco Giants in Sunday’s game improve to 13-3 in pre season play and have roll going in spring training. Is this just a look at guys trying to make the roster with a combination of double A and triple A players. Or has Giants manager Tony Vitello got this team firing on all cylinders?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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.

Giants Defeat A’s 8-2 as Morales Struggles in Spring Start

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Mandatory Photo Credit: Athletics on X

By Jeremiah Salmonson

MESA, ARIZONA — The Athletics welcomed the San Francisco Giants to Mesa on Saturday afternoon for the A’s seventh game of the spring. The Giants, led by strong pitching and timely offense, defeated the A’s 8-2 on Saturday.

One of the A’s main focuses this spring has to be on their pitching corps heading into opening day. The A’s already have what is certainly considered one of the more feared lineups in baseball this season. The real question is with the pitching staff. Can the A’s piece together a bullpen good enough to keep them in contention in 2026? During the A’s struggles in May, the bullpen posted the worst ERA in the league, over the 8.00 mark. Granted, the bullpen pitched much better later in the season, but the damage was done.

The key in many ways for the Athletics going into 2026 will be the pitching staff.

On Saturday, the potential woes for the A’s pitching staff were on full display.

The A’s started the game with projected rotation hopeful Luis Morales.

Morales struggled in his outing, with his initial appearance lasting one and a third innings, as he gave up four runs on five hits while walking one and striking out one. Morales was lifted for Eduarniel Nunez to finish the second inning. Nunez did so, allowing two runs on one hit in two-thirds of an inning of work. In a rare move you don’t see all that often, A’s manager Mark Kotsay elected to go back to Morales for the third inning. Morales gave up another hit and another walk and recorded just one more out in his outing. As the dust settled on his outing, Morales finished going one and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two and walking two.

After the game, Mark Kotsay spoke his thoughts regarding Morales’s start.

“Just lack of fastball command really,” Kotsay said. “He left a lot of balls up, breaking balls up. I still feel like it’s early. I definitely want to get that pitch count up. That’s the reason to take him out and put him back out there. I think the biggest thing for Luis is going to be being able to get ahead of hitters with his fastball and be able to locate it.”

Like Kotsay said, it’s certainly early in the spring. Morales has many more opportunities this spring to get himself right, and the A’s will give him all the opportunities to do just that.

The A’s staff after Nunez pitched pretty well. A few base hits aside, the A’s held the Giants off the board until the eighth inning, as JJ Goss, Tyler Ferguson, Hogan Harris, Scott Barlow, and Justin Sterner all had scoreless outings through the seventh inning.

In the eighth, Kade Morris came on for the A’s and struggled. Kade worked the eighth and ninth innings, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out one and walking one. It was the A’s lone blemish for the pen after the rough start to the game for the A’s pitching staff.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s also struggled.

The A’s didn’t get their first hit of the game until a fourth-inning Tyler Soderstrom single.

In terms of scoring runs, the A’s managed two runs in the game; one run came in the seventh and the other in the ninth for the A’s. Michael Stefanic had an RBI single in the seventh inning, and Cade Marlowe scored on a throwing error in the ninth inning. Those two plays were the only runs the A’s would score in the game. The Giants outhit the A’s 15-8 in the game, as the A’s failed to secure their second win of the spring, falling to 1-6 in Arizona.

The A’s will stay home to take on the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa.

Giants Crush Dodgers 12-4 Behind Ray’s Strong Outing and Adames’ Leadoff Blast

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Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the second inning of the spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeremy Chen/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE — The San Francisco Giants were back in action on Friday afternoon as they took on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium. The Giants crushed the Dodgers in a hot but beautiful afternoon contest, 12-4.

As is true with all of spring training, players are focused most on finding their stride and getting back into baseball shape.

On Friday, Robbie Ray took a positive step toward regaining his form heading into the 2026 season.

Ray spoke with the media after his start, in which he went two innings, allowing one run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout.

“It felt good. Today was definitely a step in the right direction,” Ray said after his performance. “I feel like I’ve been trying to find that delivery post-surgery. Everything — arm feels great, body feels great. It’s just searching for that delivery.”

Ray underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2023, which is the surgery he was referencing. While Ray had a solid season last year, going 11-8 with a 2.8 WAR and 3.65 ERA, he hasn’t felt he has truly found the rhythm he believes he can regain in 2026.

“I mean, I’ve looked at the video. Justin and Christian have also. We’ve been losing sleep over it, trying to figure out what it is,” Ray said Friday afternoon. “I feel like the biggest thing is I’ve been dumping my hips, my back hip, which has caused my arm to hike up, which kind of counteracts everything that I do because it actually lowers my release point and my pitch shapes are bad when I do that.”

So what is on Ray’s mind in terms of mechanics to fix the feel issues he’s been having? His hips and shoulders are prime markers for where he is mechanically.

“I felt like I was actually getting out over my front side, driving the ball to the plate. Pitch shapes are a lot better today, so I’m really happy with it. If I can keep my shoulder square, it allows me to just drive everything through the plate.”

In addition to the positive signs from Ray, Willy Adames showed some power in Friday’s win over the Dodgers. Adames led off the game with a solo home run to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead. It was his first homer of the season and traveled 418 feet to left-center field.

The game itself was lopsided. The Giants didn’t look back after the leadoff shot, scoring 12 runs while tallying 14 hits against Dodgers pitching.

The Dodgers committed three errors in the loss.

The Giants will travel to Mesa to take on the A’s at Hohokam Park at 1 p.m. MST on Saturday afternoon.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2026 A look at the Giants and Athletics

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Former Oakland A’s Spanish Broadcasters from KIQI 1010 radio Amaury Pi-Gonzalez (left) Manolo Hernandez-Douen (right) Engineer José Orellana (back) (Oakland Coliseum) Photo: Mauricio Segura -2024

2026 A look at the Giants and Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Giants: The San Francisco Giants ended last season with an 81-81 record, good for third place in the NL West, 12 games behind the World Champions, the LA Dodgers. This was the second time in Giants history they finished 81-81, previously in 2022.

As of today less than a month prior to Opening Night, March 25, 2026. At Oracle Park in San Francisco, the Giants will face the New York Yankees. Here is the probable lineup for the Giants.on Opening Night. (There could be some changes, due to injuries or simply the manager’s decision) 1-Luis Arraez 2B 2-Rafael Devers 1B 3-Willy Adames SS 4-Matt Chapman 3B 5-Jung Hoo Lee RF 6-Heliot Ramos LF 7-Harrison Bader CF 8-Bryce Eldridge DH 9-Patrick Bailey C Offense: With Luis Arraez, three-time Batting Champion over the last three years with three different teams, the Twins, Marlins, and Padres, the Giants have an excellent opportunity to score more runs.

This was the #1 acquisition by the team during the off-season; #2 was another veteran, Harrison Bader, who will take command of center field, a solid all-around player. (Offense was Improved) Pitching. The top two in the rotations are All-Star pitchers, Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.

They will need contributions from Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser, and Landen Roupp. Closer Ryan Walker was 5-7 with a 4.11 ERA and 17 saves. Their pitching will have to do better, considering the Dodgers have a dominant rotation and also signed All-Star closer Edwin Díaz.

(Pitching needs more depth) Defense: The overall team defense was near the bottom of the league. Harrison Bader could help in the outfield, with excellent defense, he covers lots of ground with a good arm, this was a good acquisition by the Giants. (Defense is improved)

Athletics: A’s will be renting again in Sacramento for the second year in a row. Last season, they finished in fourth place in the West with 76-86, 14 games behind the Mariners. The A’s have not made the postseason since 2020, when they were the Oakland A’s during the COVID-shortened year. The A’s will open their 2026 season in Canada, taking on the reigning American League Champion Blue Jays in Toronto.

Here is their probable lineup for the first game of the season. 1-Nick Kurtz 1B 2-Shea Langeliers C 3-Brett Rooker DH 4-Tyler Soderstrom LF 5-Jacob Wilson SS 6-Jeff McNeil 2B 7-Lawrence Butler RF 8-Max Muncy 3B 9-Denzel Clarke CF (There could be some changes, due to injuries or simply the manager’s decision) Offense: I really like this young, talented, and aggressive lineup.

Last season, they were fourth in Home runs in the league with 219. Only the Yankees, Mariners, and Angels hit more round trippers than the young A’s studs, headed by a sensational Rookie of the Year season by Nick Kurtz. They have enough hitting to compete, but pitching?

You cannot win without it. Even the famous 1927 Yankees with “Murderers’ Row” also had the pitching to win that year’s World Series. (Offense is Lock and Loaded) Pitching: In 2025, the Athletics finish #27 in overall pitching statistics out of the 30 MLB teams. A’s staff served 222 Home Runs, only the LA Angels rendered more (one more), 223 long balls to the opposition. (Pitching needs more improvement)

Defense: The team’s overall defensive, or fielding, placed them in the bottom tier of Major League Baseball early in the 2025 season. CF Denzel Clarke made a sensational catch for the ages. Overall, they need to do much better (Defense could use more improvement. The 2026 Major League Baseball season is coming soon. I will have my picks during the week before the start of the season.

Quote (Spanish) Cualquier tiempo que tengas la oportunidad de hacer una diferencia en este mundo y no lo hagas, estás desperdiciando tu tiempo en la tierra” – -Roberto Clemente. (Spanish). (English): “Every time you have the opportunity of making a difference in this world, but do not, you are wasting your time on this earth” -Roberto Clemente.

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

2026 Giants’ broadcasting changes: Glen Kuiper and Shawn Estes return to booth

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San Francisco Giants play by play announcers and brothers Glen Kuiper (left) and Duane Kuiper (right). Glen returns to the Giants booth after being fired by the Oakland A’s for using the N word on live TV. (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

There will be some slight changes to the Giants’ broadcasting apparatus this season with former A’s TV voice and Giants’ Fox Sports Net sideline reporter Glen Kuiper set to assist San Jose Giants Voice Joe Ritzo with fill-in play-by-play duties on KNBR, and former pitcher Shawn Estes set to rejoin the lineup of Mike Krukow’s fill-ins on the TV side for road games.

Glen—like his eldest brother, Duane—went from playing to broadcasting. Glen, the youngest of the three Kuiper brothers, got his start as a sideline reporter for Giants’ telecasts, a role he would stay in through 2003.

Glen split the A’s TV play-by-play duties with former legendary Giants’ play-by-play master, Hank Greenwald, in 2004 and 2005, and then took on the fulltime role in 2006. Glen was paired up with Duane’s former Cleveland Indians’ teammate, the late-great Ray Fosse, through 2021. Glen was then paired with former A’s pitcher, Dallas Braden for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Glen’s time with the A’s came to an abrupt end after a visit to the Negro League Museum in Kansas City, Missouri on May 5, 2023. Later that evening, during the open for the A’s telecast at their game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, Glen inadvertently uttered a racial epithet when describing his experience that day.

Despite showing remorse and taking responsibility for the incident, upon realizing what he had done, the A’s fired Glen. The youngest Kuiper has since hosted ‘The Glen Kuiper Show’ on social media. He has also teamed up with Duane for Friday-night gatherings at the Gotham Club, inside the 24-for–high Willie Mays Wall in right field at Oracle Park.

In addition to being Duane’s youngest brother, Glen is also the younger brother of longtime Giants’ TV producer, Jeff Kuiper.

Estes has mainly been an analyst for Giants’ Pregame and Postgame Live on NBC Sports Bay Area. Javier Lopez and Hunter Pence have split the fill-in color commentator role for Mike Krukow while the Giants have been on the road. Lopez will dedicate more time to his new front office role with the Giants. As a result, Estes will return to the Giants’ broadcast booth.

Giants Fall 11-3 to Rockies as Uncertainty Looms Entering 2026

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Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on February 15, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE — The San Francisco Giants were back in action on Thursday afternoon for their sixth game of the Spring Training slate at 1 p.m. MST. On Thursday, the Giants fell to the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium 11-3.

Hayden Birdsong had another rough outing for the Giants as his chances of making the Opening Day team seem slimmer and slimmer by the day. Birdsong pitched one inning, giving up three runs on four hits. On the bright side, Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos each hit their first home runs of the season in what was a welcome power display for the Giants.

Yet, the score of Thursday’s matchup is hardly the story of the day. Spring training is always more about hitters finding their timing and pitchers getting ramped up than any on-field result. Granted, rookies and fringe Opening Day roster players fight for a chance on the big league club come game one, but the lion’s share of the work is in preparing for the 162-game grind for the team’s established players. While all of that remains true for the 2026 spring training for the Giants, there’s a vibe of newness and evergreen experience with this club. However, above all else, is the uncertainty surrounding the season ahead.

The Giants are, of course, now being managed by first-time MLB manager Tony Vitello. That alone is enough change for the club to feel as if they are starting from scratch.

However, I would argue the uncertainty surrounding the Giants has little to do with the question mark of Vitello and much more to do with the question of whether this roster, as currently constructed, can truly compete in 2026.

The Giants have a talented roster. There’s no doubt about that. The question remains whether the pieces they have had mostly together since the trade deadline of last year can be a club capable of rising out of baseball hell. Can the Giants rise significantly above the .500 mark, or will they remain where they have been since finishing 107-55 in the 2021 season?

Call me pessimistic, but I think it will be a real challenge for Tony Vitello and the Giants to significantly improve upon last season’s totals. My main concern? Well, after what were largely career-average years from the majority of their players, the Giants don’t have many places to look for drastic improvements from their holdover players, and they didn’t add many impact guys to the mix in the offseason.

For instance, Matt Chapman during his career has consistently been a 115-120 OPS+ hitter. Last season, he had a 120 OPS+ and a 4.1 WAR. Willy Adames has a career 109 OPS+; last season, he had a 111 OPS+. Rafael Devers, who many considered to have had a down few months with the Giants, has a career OPS+ of 129; with the Giants last season, he had a 130 OPS+. Heliot Ramos, who had a solid season defense aside, has a career 110 OPS+; last season, Ramos had a 108 OPS+. So, without being too much of a downer, I don’t think the Giants should expect big improvements on the offensive side of the ball from their mainstays.

With that being said, it seems the improvements for the Giants offense must come from the fringes. That, in my estimation, is an uncertain proposition indeed.

Do the Giants expect a meaningful contribution from highly touted prospect Bryce Eldridge? He’s been okay this spring but had a fairly disastrous start to his big league career last fall, hitting .107 with 13 strikeouts in 37 plate appearances. I’m sure the Giants would love a Nick Kurtz-type showing from him this season, which might be needed for this offense, but that is a lofty request for such a young player playing at Oracle Park.

Jung Hoo Lee has seemingly been an underwhelming offensive threat for the Giants, given the amount of money they have committed to the 27-year-old from Japan. Granted, he hasn’t been terrible on the offensive side of the ball, but I think he has undershot expectations, fair or not. That’s not even mentioning his below-average defensive metrics last season playing the outfield. The Giants hope the move to right field will improve those defensive numbers, given his above-average arm.

On the pitching side, the bullpen remains a bit of a mystery. The Giants will suffer from Randy Rodriguez continuing his rehab from Tommy John surgery while also having traded away key pieces at the deadline. Yet, the Giants seem to find ways to make the bullpen work, even if it is not lined with stars.

The Giants rotation includes three guys I assume will be in it come Opening Day: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp. All had fairly career-average years last season.

All that, of course, begs the question: Where will the Giants’ big increases in production come from in 2026?

If the Giants want to compete for the playoffs in 2026, they will need to be one of the most defensively sharp and situationally sound clubs in the majors. That seems to be the fringes the Giants can win over to make a big step forward in a positive direction.

Can Tony Vitello, in his first big league season as manager, get that type of buy-in from his players?

If he can, he deserves Manager of the Year.

Jung Hoo Lee AP photo

Giants report: SF off to 4-0 start in spring training, pitching well

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San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, of South Korea, works out during spring training baseball on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Scottsdale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By Vince Cestone

The San Francisco Giants are off to a hot start in spring training, going 4-0 to start the Cactus League campaign. But what has really shined for the Giants so far–their pitching.

In their four wins, the Giants held their opponents to just 10 runs, no small feat in the thin, dry Arizona air. And five of those runs came in the first inning of the Cactus League opener where bullpen hopeful Hayden Birdsong struggled with his command. He’ll hope to bounce back in his next spring training appearance.

In the Cactus League opener on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, the Giants bounced back from Birdsong’s horrible outing and won the game 10-5 after being down 5-0 in the first. In his start, he was only able to get one out and gave up five runs, on three walks, while walking two. The knockout punch came when Mariners third baseman Miles Mastrobuoni hit a grand slam, to make the score 5-0.

The Giants bullpen, which used nine relievers, took over and pitched a scoreless 8 2/3 innings. Right hander Blake Tidwell headlined the impressive bullpen performance by striking out the side in his one inning of work. Tidwell was lighting up the radar gun in the high 90s and could make the team as a solid relief option in the late innings. The Giants acquired Tidwell in the Tyler Rogers trade last season.

On the offensive side, the Giants exploded for 10 runs. New Giants outfielder Harrison Bader smashed a 2-RBI double in the second inning, and designated hitter hopeful Bryce Eldridge also had an RBI double in the third inning.

In Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs, the Giants’ pitching shined in their 4-2 win at Scottsdale Stadium. Starting pitcher Robbie Ray wiggled his way out of trouble after giving up a hit and two walks in the first.

This is how Ray survived–with a triple play to get out of the inning.

Carson Seymour chimed in with a one-hit scoreless second inning. He’s also hoping to make the Giants bullpen once they break north for camp. Tristan Beck and Spencer Bivens, who were part of the Giants bullpen last year, also pitched scoreless innings.

On offense, new Giants second baseman Luis Arraez hit a single in the game in three tries. Third baseman Matt Chapman went 2-for-2 with a double. Will Brennan, who the Giants recently signed for outfield depth, contributed with an RBI single in the second inning. Through some small ball, the Giants scratched across four runs and beat the Cubs 4-2.

In the third game of spring training against the Athletics, the Giants again only gave up two runs, but this time added their first home run of the spring.

In the eighth inning, designated hitter Victor Bericoto hit a home run to right field, making the score 6-2 Giants. Bericoto also had an RBI-single in the sixth inning. This Giants prospect converted from catcher to the outfield in 2024. Bericoto signed with the Giants in 2018 as an international free agent.

On the pitching side, in the first inning, JT Brubaker gave up the only two runs the Giants allowed. Trevor McDonald, who made three appearances for the Giants last season, pitched a perfect second inning, striking out two. Marques Johnson was impressive, striking out the side in the sixth inning.

Arraez went 2-or-3 in the game, with a double, single, and 2 RBIs. Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee had a single in the game, going 1-for-3, and Luis Matos had an RBI single. The Giants defeated the A’s in dominant fashion, a rarity in the Cactus League, where the A’s have traditionally had the Giants’ number.

And on Tuesday, in the Giants’ fourth game of the spring, their pitching was better yet. The Giants beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4-1, as ace Logan Webb shined in his two innings of work.

In those two perfect innings, Webb had four strikeouts. Landon Roupp followed with a strong scoreless third inning, allowing just one walk but striking out two. Matt Gage followed in the fourth inning with a perfect frame. In the fifth inning, embattled Giants closer Ryan Walker gave up one hit, but struck out two in his scoreless inning. Walker is vying for the closer role after the Giants decided not to sign one in the free agent market. Walker will be someone to watch this spring.

With the bats, the Giants only had four hits in the game but made the most of them. Lee went 1-for-3 with an RBI single, which opened the scoring in the second inning. The Giants scored the next three and final runs on sacrifice flies, including one from catcher Patrick Bailey. Bailey will look to improve things with the bat in 2026.

The Giants will next play on Wednesday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. Game time is 12:10 p.m. from American Family Fields of Phoenix. You can listen to the game on MLB.com.