The Giants’ unending monitoring of the waiver wire continued Friday, when San Francisco claimed former Astros utility player Taylor Jones.
Jones, 28, is a 6-foot-7 righty who plays both first base and corner outfield. He’s seen big league action in each of the previous three seasons with the Astros.
To make room for Jones, who was immediately optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, the Giants designated infielder Jose Rojas for assignment. Rojas had joined the organization on Sept. 4 and never made it to the big-league club.
The Astros selected Jones out of Gonzaga in the 19th round of the 2016 draft. He debuted in 2020, appearing in seven games for Houston. He played 35 games last season, posting a slash line of .245/.269/.402. He struck out 29 times and walked only four times — plate discipline San Francisco has typically shunned.
But Jones has impressed at the Triple-A level. In 2021, he posted a 1.009 OPS in Triple-A. He hit 12 home runs in 74 Triple-A games this year.
Jones appeared in 43 career games for the Astros, starting at first base 10 times, left field seven times, and designated hitter 12 times.
The Giants have used 62 players this year, two off the franchise record. If more injuries in the outfield pile up — LaMonte Wade Jr. was scratched Friday with left side tightness and Austin Slater is rehabbing from his left hand sprain — Jones could become Giant No. 63.
- The Giants and Dodgers meet for their final rivalry series of the season this weekend, with Dustin May and Logan Webb squaring off in Oracle Park Friday. Webb has posted a 1.88 ERA in his last seven starts, but is 4-3 in the stretch; he’s allowed nine earned and 10 unearned runs in those turns. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.
- Starting pitching prospect Kai-Wei Teng broke the Richmond Flying Squirrels record for strikeouts in his start on Friday.
- Alex Wood, who is on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, is throwing and will continue therapy, per the club. Wood told reporters this week that he expects to make a decision on whether to return this season this weekend.
- Rohan Handa, the Giants’ fifth round pick this year, announced he underwent surgery on his shoulder.
