LOS ANGELES — Trevor Rosenthal did enough at his June 7 showcase to impress at least one Major League ballclub, and that’s all it took for him to complete his comeback.
Rosenthal, who signed a one-year, prorated $4.5 million deal with the Giants Thursday, reportedly threw 95-96 mph in that session. The oft-injured righty also ended it early with a hamstring cramp — the same area that has put him on the injured list to start his Giants career.
The biggest question with Rosenthal, 32, is health. The Giants, and every other team, knows that (no club knows it better than the Athletics, who signed Rosenthal in 2021 for $11 million only for him to not throw a single pitch).
Rosenthal is recovering from hip surgery and a procedure to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. But if the Giants can get Rosenthal back on his feet, they’re optimistic about the role he could play.
“Trevor is just health away from being one of the more effective closers in the game,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Thursday. “Obviously, it’s been some time and hasn’t been on the mound in a while. But the talent hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s an electric arm. Physical, strong body. Lot of potential to really make an impact for us in the second half.”
Kapler said Rosenthal remains “several weeks away” from making an impact with the big-league club. The one-time All-Star is currently rehabbing in Arizona and throwing bullpens, but Kapler said he hasn’t been able to run.
The manager added that the reports from Rosenthal’s showcases were glowing, though he didn’t have specific velocity numbers.
“The aim is to get him healthy and to get him into baseball games as soon as possible,” Kapler said.
Rosenthal is also motivated to get on the mound quickly. His contract contains several performance bonuses — worth up to an additional $1 million — based on games played and games finished.
In 2020, Rosenthal posted a 1.90 ERA in 23.2 total innings for the Royals and Padres. His last pitch of the season struck out Austin Slater to end the Giants’ postseason hopes.
Rosenthal has pitched in 27 career postseason games. During St. Louis’ run to the 2013 World Series, he didn’t allow a single run in 10 appearances.
The postseason success, the career track record, the “electric” arm talent — they all gave the Giants’ front office the green light to take a midseason swing.
“He’s a really good, experienced reliever,” Giants reliever Dominic Leone told KNBR.
“Lot of back-end experience. Pitched in some huge spots. Has great stuff. If he’s healthy, he can help us for sure…Just shown, especially last year and this year, the guys that they bring in seem to just kind of mix pretty well. So I have high hopes that whenever he’s ready, he’ll just slide right in.”
- Tommy La Stella is scheduled to play three rehab games with the River Cats this weekend, Kapler said. After spending time at second base, designated hitter and third base, SF will re-evaluate. La Stella hit the injured list designated for COVID-19 on July 8.
- Brandon Crawford is with the team in Los Angeles while on the injured list with left knee inflammation. He told reporters that he received a cortisone shot last week before going through some light on-field activity.
- Austin Wynns is starting at catcher on Thursday, but it’s possible Joey Bart plays the next three games. Kapler said he wants Bart to keep things going well at the plate, and facing upcoming Dodgers lefties Tyler Anderson, Julio Urías and Clayton Kershaw slated to take the mound. Bart is still expected to get the lion’s share of starts behind the dish to develop rhythm. The rookie has hit .276 with two home runs and two doubles since rejoining the club.
