The Giants are shaking things up in their outfield as they plan to designate Luis Matos for assignment. This decision opens the door for minor league signee Jared Oliva to step into a bench role, filling Matos’ spot on both the active and 40-man rosters.
Matos, once a top prospect for the Giants, finds himself out of minor league options. He made a strong push to hold onto his 40-man roster spot, leading the team with 23 games and 55 plate appearances during spring training.
Despite a promising start, his performance tapered off, ending with a .260/.327/.440 slash line and two homers. While he struck out only three times, his aggressiveness at the plate limited his walk rate, affecting his on-base percentage.
Over parts of three MLB seasons, Matos has posted a .231/.281/.369 line with 15 home runs. His contact skills are solid, but with a walk rate of just 6.1%, his overall production has been inconsistent.
The Giants have until tomorrow morning to officially designate him for assignment, giving them a five-day window to explore trade options. If no trade materializes, Matos will hit waivers, where his potential could attract interest from other teams.
With Matos out, Jerar Encarnacion is likely to make the roster. Also out of options, Encarnacion fits best in a corner outfield spot or as a designated hitter, where he can get consistent at-bats with Bryce Eldridge starting in the minors. Meanwhile, Will Brennan and Drew Gilbert have been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, adding depth to the outfield there.
In other roster moves, Rule 5 pick Daniel Susac is expected to secure the backup catcher position. Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss are poised for utility infield roles.
Oliva, slated to be the fifth outfielder and backup center fielder behind Harrison Bader, is set to make his MLB return after five years. His last stint in the majors was with the Pirates in 2020-21, and he’s spent recent years in the upper minors, most recently with the Milwaukee organization.
Oliva impressed with his speed and defense, stealing 14 bases in 15 attempts and hitting .375 over 20 games. While his batting average might not translate to a major impact at the plate, his base-running prowess and defensive skills provide the Giants with the speed they’re seeking for their final bench spot.