With two weeks to go until Opening Night on March 25, the Giants have yet to attain full clarity on their roster outlook for the 2026 campaign.
Mounting injuries have muddied the bullpen picture, and it remains to be seen whether No. 1 prospect Bryce Eldridge will open the season in the big leagues or back at Triple-A Sacramento. There’s also an ongoing competition for bench spots, with several roster hopefuls taking advantage of the opportunities that were created by World Baseball Classic departures this month.
The final shape of the 26-man roster will likely come down to the wire, but here’s an updated look at where things might stand for the Giants:
Catcher (2): Patrick Bailey, Daniel Susac
Possibilities: Eric Haase, Jesus Rodriguez
Susac, a Rule 5 Draft pick whom the Giants acquired from the Twins, is still viewed as the favorite to nab the backup catcher job, but the Giants have also been evaluating Haase, a non-roster invitee who has eight years of MLB experience behind the plate.
First base (1): Rafael Devers
Devers missed some time with left hamstring tightness this spring, but he returned to action on March 9 and remains on track to serve as the Giants’ primary first baseman in 2026. Where does that leave Eldridge? Giants officials often bring up the importance of reps when asked about the 21-year-old slugger, which makes it seem like they feel he could benefit from more development at Triple-A Sacramento. Nothing appears to be set, though, so there could still be time for Eldridge to force his way onto the roster over the final two weeks of camp.
Second base (1): Luis Arraez
Arraez’s elite contact skills should bring a new dimension to the Giants’ lineup, but he’ll need to hit enough to make up for his shortcomings on defense. The 28-year-old was working closely with infield coach Ron Washington to become more proficient with the glove, though that work took a pause when Arraez left to play for Team Venezuela in the WBC.
Shortstop (1): Willy Adames
Adames emerged as a key impact bat and clubhouse leader after signing a franchise-record $182 million deal with the Giants last offseason. He crushed a team-high 30 home runs in 2025, becoming the first Giants hitter to reach the mark since Barry Bonds in 2004.
Third base (1): Matt Chapman
Chapman endured some inconsistency at the plate after suffering a right hand injury that led to two stints on the injured list last year, but he remained a stabilizing force on defense, which has long been his calling card.
Outfielders (4): Heliot Ramos, Harrison Bader, Jung Hoo Lee, Will Brennan
Possibilities: Luis Matos, Grant McCray, Drew Gilbert, Jared Oliva
Ramos, Bader and Lee are locked into the three starting spots in the outfield, but the Giants are still sorting through their possible backup options. Matos is out of options and enjoying a hot start to the spring, but San Francisco’s bench is projected to be very right-handed, which could give a left-handed hitter like Brennan or McCray an edge for the fourth outfield spot.
Designated hitter (1): Jerar Encarnacion
If the Giants decide to leave Eldridge off their Opening Day roster, Encarnacion could be in line to get plenty of at-bats at the DH spot to start the year. Encarnacion appeared in only 19 games due to injuries last year, but he’s shown he can put a charge into a ball when he’s healthy. Like Matos, Encarnacion is out of options and can’t be sent to the Minors without being exposed to waivers.
Utility (2): Casey Schmitt, Christian Koss
Possibility: Tyler Fitzgerald
Arraez will have an opportunity to hold down second base this year, but the Giants figure to mix in Schmitt and Koss at the spot, especially if they’re trying to protect a lead late in games.
Starting rotation (5): Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser, Landen Roupp
Possibilities: Hayden Birdsong, Blade Tidwell, Carson Whisenhunt, Trevor McDonald
The Giants’ rotation appears mostly set, though there are some durability concerns since Roupp and Mahle have both struggled with injuries in the past. San Francisco has several young starters who could provide an extra layer of depth during the regular season, including the 25-year-old McDonald, who had not given up a run through six innings this spring and is making a strong case for a spot in the bullpen.
Bullpen (8): Ryan Walker, Matt Gage, José Buttó, Spencer Bivens, JT Brubaker, Trevor McDonald, Gregory Santos, Caleb Kilian
Possibilities: Erik Miller, Tristan Beck, Carson Seymour, Keaton Winn, Michael Fulmer, Juan Sanchez, Joey Lucchesi
San Francisco’s bullpen competition became even more wide open following the injuries to Miller, Sam Hentges, Joel Peguero and Reiver Sanmartin. Miller is close to returning from his back issue, but Hentges, Peguero and Sanmartin aren’t expected to be ready for the start of the season, which was one of the reasons the Giants re-signed Lucchesi to a Minor League deal on March 10.