Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Jerry Blevins experiment is not going well.
Neither is the Billy Hamilton project, but the Giants sound more optimistic about it lasting.
On Monday, Blevins was hit hard for a fourth time in six Cactus League appearances, recording a single out — on a sacrifice fly — and charged with two runs on three hits and a walk, as well as a very wild pitch.
He was mercifully removed after facing five hitters and retiring one, raising his Cactus League ERA to 22.09 through 3 2/3 innings. The 36-year-old, a well-traveled and -respected lefty whom San Francisco brought it to see if he could adjust and retire righties, too, is likely not long for the team, not able thus far to land his curveball for strikes against righties.
The fact the Giants already have Tony Watson (health presuming) and Jarlin Garcia, who cannot be optioned, as lefties out of the pen will not help Blevins’ case.
“Blevins is having a hard time executing his curveball right now. He’s getting behind in counts. If he was standing right next to me, he’d tell you that he’s not making all of his pitches,” manager Gabe Kapler said after the Giants’ 11-7 loss to the Indians on Monday at Goodyear Ballpark. “I’m sure that’s difficult for him being a veteran pitcher who’s used to coming into a game and throwing a lot of strikes and induce quick and weaker contact. He’s frustrated right now.”
It would be understandable if Hamilton, the speed-demon center fielder, were, too. The switch-hitter has not looked comfortable at the plate, taking several poor hacks against Cleveland pitching in going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He’s been punched out in six of his past eight at-bats, his slashline now sitting at .250/.250/.400 through 20 plate appearances, which haven’t included a walk.
If he sticks on the roster, perhaps as the 26th man, it would not be his bat that is his glue. The Giants love how he patrols the outfield — he and Steven Duggar in right made a nice tandem Monday — and his legs can change a game on the basepaths.
Fortunately for Hamilton, Kapler suggested there will be more to evaluate for him than spring training results.
“It’s much more about track record than it is anything else,” Kapler said. “Not that we don’t think these spring training at-bats are important, but we’ll lean heavily on what Billy’s done in his career and evaluate the work that he’s doing in camp and his process more than anything else. I think Billy’s something like six years of experience will show us much more than three weeks in spring training.”
It may make more sense for Trevor Oaks, one year removed from hip surgery, to be used in shorter increments than being employed as a starter. Still, the Giants Monday starter, who went three scoreless and is in the conversation to fill in the spot that Tyler Beede vacated, will get a chance.
“I think it’s realistic to stretch him out,” Kapler said. “Doesn’t mean he won’t be used in shorter bursts.”
Kapler warned the Giants’ lineups in the next few days are “not necessarily what they’re going to look like during the regular season. You’re going to see us mixing up the lineups.”
Tony Watson threw a third bullpen session and will throw live BP “in the next couple days,” Kapler said.
The Giants did not yet have an update on Tyler Beede, who was getting a second opinion on his elbow in Los Angeles.
Matt Carasiti had “successful” Tommy John surgery, Kapler said.
MLB, along with MLS, NBA and NHL, is locking media out from clubhouses beginning Tuesday in fear of the Coronavirus spreading from reporters to players. The league said the locker room will be open to “players and essential employees” only.
“I consider our entire coaching staff 100 percent essential,” Kapler said.