Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It’s still possible there is another move coming, but the Giants’ Opening Day roster now looks pretty clear.
On Tuesday, San Francisco reassigned four righty non-roster invites to minor league camp, including Nick Tropeano, who had a particularly strong Cactus League, as they chose against adding any to the 40-man roster, which would have prompted them to remove someone else from that roster.
Also getting sent out were Dominic Leone, another spring standout, and Zack Littell and Trevor Gott as the Giants’ roster shrank to 27, one off the mark they need by Thursday. Still included on the roster is Alex Wood, who may be placed on the injured list after an ablation procedure to his lower back.
If Wood is shifted to the IL, the Giants’ April 1 bullpen would consist of lefties Jake McGee, Jose Alvarez, Jarlin Garcia, Wandy Peralta and Caleb Baragar and righties Matt Wisler, Reyes Moronta and Tyler Rogers.
It is a surprise that Baragar and Peralta, who both have options, are included in the group, but it appears the Giants are choosing this alignment rather than risk losing, say, the recently picked-up Ashton Goudeau or Chadwick Tromp.
Tropeano is the surprise, a bulk-innings option who was dominant in 15 2/3 innings with Pittsburgh last year and has impressed in camp this year, with 13 strikeouts and three runs allowed in 10 innings. It’s possible the Giants don’t envision needing a longer man out of the bullpen in the early days because they have three days off within the first 15 days of the season. Expect to see Tropeano get added to the roster at some point, and he may be included in the taxi squad that heads to Seattle for the opening series.
“His body of work has been good, and he’s put his best foot forward and done a nice job for us overall,” Gabe Kapler said last week of Tropeano.
The Giants’ starting five — at least for now — is set. Kevin Gausman will open on Thursday, followed by Johnny Cueto, followed by Logan Webb. It is expected that Anthony DeSclafani will begin the series in San Diego, and then Aaron Sanchez will be the fifth starter. Wood, who threw a sim game Saturday, needs to build back up but should not be gone long. What the Giants do when he returns, though, will be curious — Kapler has said he’s open to a six-man rotation if he has six quality starters. Performance will dictate that.
Once the Giants optioned away Jason Vosler and LaMonte Wade Jr., the position players were known. The Giants are confident with Brandon Belt (mono, offseason heel surgery) and Evan Longoria (plantar fasciitis) opening with the team, joining an infield crew that includes Buster Posey, Curt Casali, Brandon Crawford, Wilmer Flores, Tommy La Stella and Donovan Solano.
The outfielder will consist of Alex Dickerson, Mauricio Dubón, Darin Ruf, Austin Slater and Mike Yastrzemski, who is day to day after a left hand contusion Monday. X-rays were negative after he got drilled in the hand.
Unless another move is coming — always a possibility with this front office — the Giants’ Opening Day roster seems set.