Since getting functionally eliminated from the playoffs, the San Francisco Giants have been a lot more eager to make roster moves. And on Wednesday they were back at it, making a handful of moves before Game 2 of their three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians.
The big news was already known: left-handed pitcher Matt Wilkinson is getting called up from AAA Sacramento. While it was reported on Monday that the burly southpaw affectionately known as “Tugboat” would be getting the call for his
MLB debut, it was unknown what role the Giants would use him in. Now we know: he’s been called up to start today’s game, which otherwise would have been Adrian Houser’s turn in the rotation.
But Wilkinson isn’t the only player being added to the 40-man roster: the Giants also claimed left-handed pitcher Philip Abner off of waivers after the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment. Abner, a sixth-round pick in 2023, is still on the young side, having only turned 24 in May. He made his MLB debut last year and, in two seasons in the Majors, has a 6.00 ERA and a 5.15 FIP, with 11 strikeouts and 11 walks in 18 innings. Abner also had just a 5.01 ERA in 30 relief appearances in AAA this year, though that came with a 3.32 FIP.
Funnily enough, Abner has a very similar profile to Wilkinson, in that he primarily relies on a deceptive but low-velo fastball. The Florida alum used his 4-seamer 60.8% of the time in AAA this year, despite it averaging just 90.5 mph. Despite that, it’s been a highly effective pitch in the Minors, as AAA hitters have a .170 expected average, a .236 expected slugging, and a 31.0% whiff rate against it.
Not surprisingly, that success has been harder to find in the Majors, where Abner this year has a .365 expected average, a .618 expected slugging, and a 15.5% whiff rate against his four-seamer. Abner will not be joining Wilkinson in Cleveland, as the Giants optioned him to Sacramento. They have plenty of time to work with him should they choose, as he has two more option years remaining after this one.
To make space on the active roster for Wilkinson, the Giants optioned lefty Reiver Sanmartin to AAA. To clear space on the 40-man roster for Tugboat and Abner, catcher Daniel Susac and center fielder Harrison Bader were moved to the 60-Day Injured List.
