The SF Giants are still holding out hope that Marcelo Mayer can get back on the field this season, and a new update keeps that possibility alive.
Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the former top prospect is out of a walking boot. The Giants want an evaluation on Mayer before the end of the year, and that remains in play.
Mayer had been working through a rehab assignment before it was interrupted by continued foot discomfort. He appeared in four games with the Sacramento River Cats before the setback, and he has been out for only 10 days since then.
Because of that short timeline, the Giants could decide to move him along without another rehab assignment, especially with rosters set to expand on September 1. If they do choose to restart that process, he would likely need another rehab assignment before he is ready to rejoin the major league club.
There are about four weeks left in the year, and the Giants appear eager to use that time to get a better read on Mayer. He arrived in the deal that sent Erik Miller and outfield prospect Carlos Gutierrez to the Boston Red Sox.
The organization’s interest is obvious. Mayer was taken with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft and was once viewed as one of the best prospects in baseball. MLB Pipeline ranked him as high as No. 9 in baseball before the 2023 season.
His minor league track record still shows plenty to like. Over six seasons, the left-handed hitter has slashed .275/.361/.468 with an 11.7 percent walk rate, a 23.3 percent strikeout rate and a .193 ISO while frequently facing older competition. That includes an .835 OPS in parts of two seasons at Triple-A.
Mayer reached the majors with Boston in 2025, but injuries have repeatedly slowed him down. He was still recovering from a forearm injury when the trade went through, and he posted a .625 OPS in 364 plate appearances with the Red Sox.
At 23, Mayer brings modest raw power and strong swing decisions, though the Giants will have to help the power show up more often in games. There is also still work to do on cutting down his chase rate.
He came up as a shortstop, but he has experience all over the infield. With the Giants carrying openings across the dirt, they should have no trouble finding a spot for him if he gets healthy enough to play.
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