On Monday, just two-and-a-half weeks before Opening Day, the San Francisco Giants shored up their left-handed depth with a move many expected months ago: Joey Lucchesi.
Lucchesi was somewhat surprisingly non-tendered at the start of the offseason, after a fairly strong 2025 with the Giants (MLB Trade Rumors projected him for $2 million in arbitration). He didn’t land anywhere else and now, according to Jon Heyman, the Giants have brought Lucchesi back on a Minor League deal that includes an invitation
to camp. Per Heyman, Lucchesi’s deal is for $1.55 million, with an additional $300,000 in incentives, though since it’s a Minor League deal, he’s not guaranteed to make the team.
Unfortunately, this is more than just stockpiling depth. There’s a reason the Giants made the move for a southpaw reliever, and there’s a reason they made it when they did. At the same time as news was breaking of Lucchesi’s signing, the team was revealing that Reiver Sanmartin will be sidelined for up to three months with a right hip flexor strain.
In all, while it’s been a great spring for the Giants (who have the best record in either league at 12-3), it hasn’t been for their lefty relievers. Sam Hentges, the only healthy reliever they signed to a Major League deal this offseason, is no longer healthy, and won’t be in time for Opening Day. Erik Miller is nearing a return, but has been dealing with an ailment that has kept him from appearing in a Cactus League game. Sanmartin made two appearances before hitting the shelf for an indefinite amount of time. Matt Gage has a 6.00 ERA that would look worse if it included his stats against Giants Minor Leaguers in the exhibition versus Team USA. Carson Whisenhunt has had a hot-and-cold spring and looks more like rotational depth in AAA than bullpen depth in the Majors. Juan Sánchez has been the lefty reliever of the group, but he’s coming off a lost season, has no Major League experience, and isn’t on the 40-man roster.
So it’s easy to see why Buster Posey wanted to bring Lucchesi back. The veteran also signed a Minor League deal with the Giants last year, and began the year with Sacramento before later joining the big league squad. The 32-year old ended his first season in orange and black with 38 appearances, all out of the bullpen, and a 3.76 ERA with a 3.97 FIP. He had 31 strikeouts against 12 walks in 38.1 innings.
Welcome back, Joey. There’s a path there, should you choose to take it.
