PHOENIX -- Giants right-hander Chris Stratton learned of Bryce Harper reaching a deal with the Phillies after returning to the visitor’s clubhouse on Thursday and seeing a text message from his wife.
“I guess you get to keep your number,” she wrote.
Stratton, like Harper, wears No. 34, but he said he would have been willing to give up the number if the 26-year-old outfielder had elected to come to San Francisco.
“Not gonna lie, I’m a little disappointed because maybe I could have gotten a Rolex or something like that,” Stratton said. “But good for him. It’s great for the game for him to be able to sign a contract like that. All the best to him.”
When news of Harper’s record deal broke, Stratton was busy preparing for his second exhibition start of the spring against the Brewers. The 28-year-old delivered a sharp performance once he took the mound, firing three scoreless innings in the Giants’ 6-2 win at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
“That’s as good as I’ve seen him in a while,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
Stratton, who is out of options and fighting for a spot in San Francisco’s rotation, gave up just one hit while walking one and striking out three. It was an improvement from his Cactus League debut against the Angels last week, when he yielded two runs on two hits over one inning.
“Definitely made some adjustments in the few days that I had in between starts here,” Stratton said. “It’s weird going one inning and then having five days, but it was nice to have some time to work on some things.”
Vogt scratched
Stephen Vogt had been scheduled to start at designated hitter on Thursday, but he was scratched from the lineup due to illness. Bochy said Vogt is now likely to make his Cactus League debut on Saturday as a designated hitter. Vogt, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, is in the mix for the backup catcher job, but he is coming off shoulder surgery and is still about a week and a half away from catching in games.
Up next
Madison Bumgarner will make his second start of the spring on Friday night as the Giants host the Reds at 6:05 p.m. PT at Scottsdale Stadium. Right-hander Tyler Mahle is scheduled to pitch for Cincinnati. Buster Posey and Steven Duggar are also expected to make their Cactus League debuts for the Giants.