SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants stayed active in the relief market on Friday, though their latest addition isn’t expected to take the mound for the team this year.
San Francisco announced a one-year Major League contract with former Cubs reliever Rowan Wick, who is expected to miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November. Wick’s deal includes a club option for 2027, so he could emerge as a bullpen option next year if his rehab goes according to plan.
Wick spent the last two seasons with the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball, logging a superb 1.75 ERA across 87 2/3 innings over that span. Before heading to Japan, Wick spent five seasons in the Majors with the Padres (2018) and Cubs (2019-22). He had a 3.82 ERA over 146 big league appearances and notched a career-high nine saves in his last season with Chicago in 2022.
To clear a spot for Wick on the 40-man roster, San Francisco transferred right-hander Jason Foley (right shoulder surgery) to the 60-day injured list. Wick is also expected to open the season on the 60-day IL, which should give the Giants the ability to open up another spot on the 40-man roster if needed.
Webb, Birdsong throw live BPs
The Giants held their first round of live batting practice sessions at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday, with right-handers Logan Webb and Hayden Birdsong getting an early chance to test themselves against hitters.
Webb faced six batters during his 25-pitch outing. He struck out Heliot Ramos and Grant McCray, though he also walked Jung Hoo Lee and gave up a pair of hits to Jared Oliva and Drew Gilbert.
Webb is planning to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic next month, but he said he’s been sticking to his usual Spring Training ramp-up schedule so far.
“I really haven’t changed,” Webb said. “I did the same thing throughout the offseason. I feel like I actually toned it down a little bit. I feel like in January, there are two or three times where I’ll throw probably harder than I’ll ever throw during the season. This year was kind of an emphasis on not trying to do that. I was exactly the same today. … I feel really good. My mechanics feel really good. It’s been a normal throwing program, normal bullpen ramp-up.”
Team USA will train at the Giants’ player development complex at Papago Park, so Webb will be in familiar territory once workouts begin on March 1. Head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner will also be part of Team USA’s staff, adding another layer of comfort for Webb this spring.
Will Webb be nervous when he makes his WBC debut in Houston next month?
“I’m always nervous,” said Webb, who shared a piece of advice he got from Justin Verlander last spring: "The minute you're not nervous pitching in a game or facing hitters is the minute you should hang them up.”
Birdsong took the mound after Webb and threw 20 pitches while facing four hitters. He gave up an opposite-field single to Lee, but he capped his outing by striking out Patrick Bailey swinging on an elevated fastball.
“I felt good,” Birdsong said. “The heater was there, so that’s what I’m happy about.”