SEATTLE -- The Giants will move forward with a trio of rookie catchers after activating Daniel Susac off the 10-day injured list and designating veteran Eric Haase for assignment prior to Friday night’s second-half opener against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
Susac, 25, returned after missing 16 games with a low back strain, bolstering a catching mix that now includes Drew Cavanaugh and Jesus Rodriguez. Cavanaugh started behind the plate on Friday, but manager Tony Vitello said he expects Susac to catch ace right-hander Logan Webb on Saturday.
Susac batted .262 with a .640 OPS over 37 games before landing on the IL with the back injury on June 26. He appeared in three rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento prior to the All-Star break, going 4-for-11 (.364) with one home run.
“We've got all three of the guys that are pretty exciting,” Vitello said. “Just to look at who they are now and what they can be in the future with [Susac] and Jesus and Cavanaugh. Susac should be good to go. He's going to catch tomorrow, so we'll balance out this road trip. He’ll probably take about 50% of the workload, but I don't think there's any restrictions. He looked good in those games he was playing with Sac.”
Susac and Cavanaugh figure to draw most of the catching reps, but Rodriguez should be available off the bench if needed, especially since he can also play second base, third base and corner outfield.
“It's nice that he's got the ability to do different things,” Vitello said. “He's probably your best shot at a right-handed pinch-hit at-bat. We'll see how it ends up working out.”
Haase, 33, joined the Giants on a Minor League deal over the offseason and had his contract selected from Triple-A Sacramento when Susac was set back by a right elbow injury in mid-April. The nine-year veteran was by far the most experienced catcher on the Giants’ roster, but he hit only .162 with a .600 OPS and four home runs over 29 big league games this year.
“I think just on the person front, it’s tough to part ways with Haase,” Vitello said. “It was a difficult goodbye in that situation. I think for everybody that he came across, I know the record wouldn't reflect it, but he left the place a better place just by being the person that he is.”
Chapman update
Third baseman Matt Chapman (abdominal strain) resumed swinging on Friday, but Vitello said it would probably “be a little bit of a stretch” for him to return from the IL during the Giants’ current road trip through Seattle and Kansas City.
“More than likely, we’ll meet him back with open arms when we get back to San Francisco [on July 24],” Vitello said.
The Giants can afford to be patient with the 33-year-old Chapman, as they have another Gold Glove-caliber defender -- Casey Schmitt -- currently filling in at third base.
Davidson, Harber promoted to Triple-A
Several Giants prospects found themselves on the move on Friday, including outfielder Bo Davidson (San Francisco’s No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) and infielder Parks Harber (No. 13), both of whom were promoted from Double-A Richmond to Triple-A Sacramento.
Davidson, 24, batted .277 with an .861 OPS and 19 home runs over 73 games for the Flying Squirrels this year. Harber, 24, was also productive, hitting .284 with an .879 OPS and 12 homers over 66 games.
“Obviously, they’ve both got a ton of capability,” Vitello said. “Parks has got a track record that’s off the charts. Bo’s just a great story in general.”