The San Francisco Giants found themselves in a bit of a roster pickle as Opening Day loomed, leading to a tough decision that saw Joey Lucchesi on the outside looking in.
On Sunday, the Giants informed Lucchesi that he wouldn't be part of their roster, granting him his release. This move, reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman, means Lucchesi is now a free agent, free to explore opportunities with other teams.
Once a bright prospect with the San Diego Padres, Lucchesi's journey has been anything but straightforward. His first season with the Giants in 2025 showed promise, as he posted a respectable 3.76 ERA across 38 games, striking out 31 batters in 38.1 innings. Not too shabby for the 6-foot-5 lefty.
However, Lucchesi's career has been marred by injuries. Since pitching three games in 2020, he's had a sporadic presence on the mound: 11 games in 2021, a complete absence in 2022, followed by nine games in 2023, and just two in 2024.
Despite this rocky path, Lucchesi appears to be in good shape now, showcasing solid velocity during spring training. His performance last season wasn't a fluke, and with left-handed pitchers always in demand, he should find a new team soon.
The Giants, meanwhile, opted to go with Ryan Borucki to fill a bullpen role, leaving Lucchesi to seek his next chapter elsewhere.