Giants release 2019 Gold Glover Sánchez

SAN FRANCISCO -- Infielder Yolmer Sánchez never got the chance to flash his Gold Glove-caliber defense with the Giants, but he’ll have an opportunity to pursue other Major League opportunities after his request for a release was granted on Friday.

Sánchez turned down Major League offers over the offseason to sign a Minor League deal with the Giants and compete for the starting job at second base, where he won the American League Gold Glove Award in 2019, with the White Sox. But a back injury kept Sánchez off the Opening Day roster, and San Francisco didn’t have a spot for him when he returned to full health.

Donovan Solano and Wilmer Flores have surged at the plate, and the Giants remain committed to giving Mauricio Dubón plenty of opportunities to establish himself in the Majors, so Sánchez found his road to the big leagues blocked in San Francisco. The 28-year-old switch-hitter had spent the past month working out at the club’s alternate training site in Sacramento.

Sánchez attempted to tweak his swing after being non-tendered by the White Sox in December, but he struggled to showcase those changes during Spring Training, going hitless in his first 16 Cactus League at-bats. He batted .252 with a .638 OPS and two home runs over 149 games with Chicago in 2019.

Bart excited for the future
Top prospect Joey Bart received his long-awaited callup to the Majors on Thursday, but he’s only the first in what the Giants are hoping will be a steady stream of young position players to break through and help steer the organization back toward contention over the next few years.

Bart got an extended look at the Giants’ developing core of talent after opening the season at their alternate training site, and he highlighted three prospects who stood out to him in particular: shortstop Marco Luciano (the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and outfielders Heliot Ramos (No. 3) and Alexander Canario (No. 7).

“Some guys that we have down there are really, really freaky,” Bart said. “Those guys make this game look very easy. The more at-bats that they’ve been getting out there, they’ve been getting better. They’ve been working really hard. Those three names are definitely what the Giants should be excited about.”

Injury updates
• Left-hander Drew Smyly (left index finger sprain) continues to throw off flat ground and is hoping to receive medical clearance to begin a mound progression next week. Fellow starter Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder inflammation) is throwing out to 90 feet and will be examined by team doctors over the weekend.

• Reliever Sam Coonrod (right lat strain) was expected to throw a simulated game at Oracle Park on Friday. He is likely to rejoin the Giants in the next couple of days, giving the club some much-needed bullpen depth from the right side.