Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants did not do anything drastic.
Facing a roster cutdown that trims their space from 30 to 28, the Giants optioned the option-able: Steven Duggar and Andrew Suarez, both of whom were recalled from Sacramento recently. The outfielder and flexible pitcher will join a taxi squad that now allows five players after the Thursday transactions.
Pablo Sandoval survived the roster crunch, the Panda swinging the bat better recently after work with the hitting coaches, but still just 5-of-30 (.167) on the year, and the Giants have not trusted him at third.
Also spared was Mauricio Dubon, who can’t find his way into a lineup that is suddenly crowded with Mike Yastrzemski, Donovan Solano and Brandon Crawford all needed in spots where Dubon could play. Dubon has not started four of five games, Gabe Kapler recently calling it a “mental reset” for the struggling super utilityman, who debuted last year.
Suarez was called up for length and matchups with the Rockies — Colorado has plenty of lefties — but has not been used in a series that concludes Thursday. The Giants do not trust Duggar’s bat enough, but he is a lefty in a lefty-thin unit, and his speed and defense they value.
While Sandoval and Dubon can exhale, it’s only for today. The rosters do not need to be squeezed any more, but the Giants have Yolmer Sanchez, Trevor Cahill and Jarlin Garcia rehabbing, all of whom would need to be added to the 28- and 40-man rosters, which will mean more change is coming.
