The Giants took a flier on veteran catcher Gary Sánchez during an unsettled time at the position at the upper levels, and it didn’t work out.
San Francisco released Sánchez, 30, from the Triple-A roster, ending his stint with the Giants after a month. The two-time All-Star had an opt-out clause on May 1, which he exercised after not reaching the big leagues.
In 16 games with the River Cats, Sánchez hit .164 with one extra-base hit. When asked for updates about the catcher, Giants manager Gabe Kapler would refer to him needing to knock rust off; that rust never dissipated.
As Sánchez struggled, Joey Bart put together arguably the best two-way stretch of his career and Blake Sabol hit five home runs, including a walk-off against the Cardinals. Even as Roberto Pérez got season-ending surgery and Austin Wynns left the organization, the Giants’ catching situation at the Major League level settled.
Meanwhile, the Giants promoted promising prospect Patrick Bailey to Triple-A, bringing him one step away from a debut after just 14 Double-A games. San Francisco will proceed with Bailey and Ricardo Genovés as the River Cats’ catchers.
In addition to the Sánchez roster move, the Giants optioned reliever Sean Hjelle and recalled righty Cole Waites. Hjelle entered Monday’s 2-2 game against the Astros and gave up five earned runs on three hits and three walks. An uptick in velocity for Hjelle has come with increased command issues.
Waites has also struggled with location this year in Triple-A, with 12 walks in 9.2 innings pitched. The automatic balls and strikes system has inflated walk numbers across the Pacific Coast League, but those numbers are alarming even still.
Waites provides a more short burst option compared to Hjelle’s bulk innings skill set. He debuted for the Giants late last year, posting a 3.18 ERA in seven games.
Darin Ruf, who hit the injured list with wrist inflammation — a problem he’s been dealing with since the spring — is beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday.
