GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With the Cactus League slate winding down, the Giants are starting to take more notable steps to narrow down their options for their Opening Day roster.
The Giants optioned left-hander Carson Whisenhunt and catcher Jesus Rodriguez to Triple-A Sacramento and reassigned infielders Parks Harber and Buddy Kennedy to Minor League camp on Wednesday. The moves came one day after the Giants sent out right-hander Blade Tidwell and non-roster infielder Jake Holton, leaving 45 players in big league camp.
Tidwell, the Giants’ No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and Whisenhunt (No. 12) are both expected to have the chance to contribute to the big league pitching staff in 2026, but the Giants don’t have spots for them in their starting rotation right now. By sending them to Triple-A Sacramento to start the season, the Giants will be able to keep the young starters stretched out and ready to fill any needs that may inevitably crop up during the regular season.
“We're going to have these guys around us at some point,” manager Tony Vitello said before the Giants’ 5-1 heat-shortened loss to the Dodgers in eight innings at Camelback Ranch. “When, where and what fashion will be dictated by the circumstances. Some of it might be dictated by the players, but I do think it's key for all players to realize they don't have control of a lot of stuff.”
Tidwell, 24, impressed with his fastball-sweeper combination, but he had uneven results during Cactus League play, logging a 9.45 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings.
“Obviously, I have a relationship with him,” said Vitello, who previously coached Tidwell at the University of Tennessee. “But like a lot of guys who are capable of pitching at the big league level on an everyday basis -- he's capable of doing that -- he probably knows he could have thrown a little bit better. Self-admittedly and by the coach’s discretion, he's capable of doing better. So what's better for an athlete than a challenge? Get to work and get a little bit better in some areas, and then the time will come, for sure.”
Vitello had a similar message for the 25-year-old Whisenhunt, who recorded a 9.64 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings this spring.
“No matter who you are -- grade school or at this level -- you need to ultimately take ownership of your own deal and be your best coach,” Vitello said. “I think he’s starting to get a feel for how to do that.”
Rodriguez (No. 18) hit .353 with a .964 OPS, one home run and two stolen bases over 15 games, though the Giants already have two other catchers -- Rule 5 Draft pick Daniel Susac and veteran Eric Haase -- vying to back up Patrick Bailey. Rodriguez is still working to refine his skills behind the plate, but his versatility could make him an intriguing bench piece down the line. The 23-year-old prospect got most of his defensive reps at catcher (11 games), but he also made appearances at second base (4) and left field (2) this spring.
“Jesus has got to be riding high on confidence right now, knowing that he’s in a good spot in a lot of different ways,” Vitello said. “No part of his game was a disappointment in any way during Spring Training. He just needs to keep pushing forward.”
Harber (No. 14) also had a nice showing in his first big league camp with the Giants, hitting .357 with a .995 OPS and one home run over 17 exhibition games, but he ended up suffering a Grade 2 right hamstring strain while running the bases last week. The 24-year-old corner infielder is expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury, which will likely delay the start of his Minor League season.
“There's a professional approach to hitting, and you saw that in his at-bats,” Vitello said. “The results were better towards the end, which is really unfortunate about the injury. I was really frustrated for him that that happened. But I think being able to weather the storm as a hitter is so key.”
Welcome to the Wall of Fame
The Giants announced Wednesday that five members of their early 2010s championship core -- first baseman Brandon Belt, shortstop Brandon Crawford, second baseman Joe Panik, catcher Buster Posey and third baseman Pablo Sandoval -- will be inducted into the organization’s Wall of Fame together prior to the club’s game against the Tigers on Aug. 8 at Oracle Park.
Worth noting
• Outfielder Victor Bericoto hit his team-high third home run of the spring on Wednesday, crushing a mammoth solo shot off Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott that cleared the batter’s eye in the eighth inning.
• Right-hander Keyner Martinez (No. 11) will start Thursday’s Spring Breakout game against the Reds at Scottsdale Stadium.