© Mike Dinovo | 2021 Jun 9
When the Giants added veteran right-handed pitcher Tyler Chatwood from Triple-A Sacramento yesterday, manager Gabe Kapler talked with a few of his veteran hitters about SF’s newest arm.
The internal scouting report: When he can locate his pitches, his upside really shows.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that the key to success has always been about his ability to be and stay in the zone,” Kapler told reporters before Wednesday’s matchup with the New York Mets. “His stuff is nasty. We have some other pitchers that really can rely on stuff in the zone. I think Chatwood really falls into that category as well.”
Chatwood, 31, recorded a 5.46 ERA in 28 relief innings for the Toronto Blue Jays this year before San Francisco picked him up — SF optioned reliever Jay Jackson to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. He’s struggled with command, walking 6.4 batters per nine innings.
Chatwood, a Redlands, CA native, has started games in the past, but will likely come out of the bullpen for SF, Kapler said. He doesn’t have any scheduled starts, but “we think he’s capable of playing multiple roles for us,” Kapler said.
The righty has only allowed one home run on the season. That’ll play for the team that has hit the most home runs in the big leagues and allowed the fourth-fewest.
The Giants veterans have seen the best of Chatwood. In nine career appearances at Oracle Park, he’s recorded a 2.04 ERA. Toronto designated him for assignment on July 30.
“What I’d say is our investment in Chatty is really about our belief that he can be a good strike-thrower and our belief that his stuff will play,” Kapler. “Giving him an opportunity to be the pitcher that he’s been, at times, in his career. When he’s been that pitcher, and I actually talked to quite a few hitters about this, he’s a really tough matchup and an uncomfortable at-bat. That’s what we’re trying to capture.”
Other notes:
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The Giants placed pitcher Tyler Beede on the 60-day IL with a lower back strain. Beede, a former first round pick, was expected to contribute to SF’s rotation but spent the first half of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery and now will have to prepare for spring training in February.
Kapler said, at the moment, the back strain will only require rest and recovery, not surgery.
“It’s tough to swallow, and I know obviously most disappointing for Tyler but for us as well,” Kapler said. “He’s a big part of what we’re doing. This feels like a big blow.”
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Kapler said the upcoming Bay Bridge series will be a good opportunity to get more at-bats for several players who have earned a role but haven’t been able to find the field as much as they might like. He mentioned Darin Ruf, Wilmer Flores and Donovan Solano as players who might spend time in the DH spot.
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Oakland Athletics ace Chris Bassitt suffered a scary injury last night on a comebacker. He was carted off the field after being struck by a Brian Goodwin line drive. He was diagnosed with a cheek fracture and left the hospital this morning and will undergo surgery in the coming days.
When asked about possibly protecting pitchers better, Kapler said he’d support anything that can keep his players safe.
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