Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tyler Beede’s injury crept open a rotation spot that appeared to be nearly locked. And while it will create more drama and competition for the No. 5 starter that will affect the bullpen candidates, the pen is beginning to narrow from an impossibly wide field.
Tony Watson, health provided, will be on the Giants’ Opening Day roster, as will Trevor Gott, who is out of options. Tyler Rogers has asserted himself into a near surefire spot, and Jarlin Garcia may be doing the same.
Garcia, who was surprisingly designated for assignment by the Marlins following last season, has been a front-runner to make the roster because he’s out of options; the Giants can keep him or lose him. Fortunately for the team, thus far he has not made that decision difficult, pitching another scoreless, two-strikeout inning Thursday. In all this spring, the 27-year-old lefty has allowed two hits and one walk in four innings.
The strikeouts — six so far — may not last because he’s not the modern-day, swing-and-miss pitcher (which also may explain Miami parting with him). But the results could.
“Historically and against us with the Phillies [the last two years], he wasn’t a guy that made you think he was going to strike a bunch of hitters out,” Gabe Kapler said after the Giants’ 7-1 loss to Cleveland at Scottsdale Stadium. “Even when you had left-handed hitters at the plate, it wasn’t a strikeout package — it was more of a soft-contact package.
“Jarlin has done a good job of staying off barrels [to] both left-handers and right-handers. Strike-throwers are really important in young bullpens that don’t have a lot of superstar star power.”
Rule 5 pick Dany Jimenez, who impressed Wednesday, also would win a tiebreaker; if he doesn’t make the team, he would be offered back to Toronto. After those leading the pack, it’s a free-for-all.
Righty Andrew Triggs, a “crossfire” righty who nearly is a sidearmer, leapt over one more hurdle Thursday, continuing a scoreless camp while this time going longer than an inning. The former Oakland A, whom the Giants want out of relief after thoracic outlet syndrome and multiple hip surgeries have frustrated his starting career, got one out in the fifth then made it through a humdrum sixth, now 4 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit, no walks and five strikeouts.
“He’s shown the ability to get right-handers and left-handers out. Right now that’s an extremely valuable tool,” Kapler said of the 30-year-old. “… Feel like he’s doing a good job and making a case for himself to be in the bullpen.”
Lefty Sam Selman, who debuted last year, also remained perfect, 3 2/3 clean innings thus far.
There are plenty more options, including last year’s standouts in Jandel Gustave and Sam Coonrod, as well as camp curiosities such as Carlos Navas, Enderson Franco, Trevor Oaks, Rico Garcia and Matt Carasiti.
Watson was expected to throw a bullpen session Thursday. Kapler did not yet have an update on how it went.
Shaun Anderson, who has struggled out of relief thus far, is set to make his first start Saturday against the White Sox in Scottsdale. A rotation path appeared fully blocked until Beede went down.