The San Francisco Giants have been challenging conventional bullpen strategies, notably by minimizing the role of left-handed relievers. Last season, they operated with just one lefty specialist at a time, rotating between Erik Miller and Joey Lucchesi.
Lucchesi logged 38.1 innings, while Miller, hampered by injuries, pitched 30 innings. This approach might have left bullpen legends like Scott Eyre, Javy Lopez, and Alan Embree scratching their heads, and one can only imagine bullpen innovator Tony La Russa's reaction.
This year, the Giants might find themselves in a similar situation. Reiver Sanmartin, a promising bullpen candidate, is sidelined for three months due to a severe hip flexor strain.
Sanmartin, who joined the Giants after being claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, has shown promise in the minors but struggled to secure a consistent role in the majors, with a 5.66 ERA over 62 appearances. Fortunately, he has a minor-league option left and won't occupy a 40-man roster spot while on the injured list.
With Sanmartin out, the bullpen's left-handed options are thin. Matt Gage, at 33, stands as the only healthy lefty reliever.
Erik Miller is expected to return from a back injury soon, and the Giants recently re-signed Lucchesi to a minor-league deal, possibly in anticipation of Sanmartin's setback. Meanwhile, Sam Hentges, who inked a one-year deal, is recovering from significant surgeries and won't be ready for the season opener.
Is this a concern for the Giants? In a way, yes.
The league has seen a decline in left-handed relievers, especially since the 2020 rule change requiring pitchers to face at least three batters. The days of the "LOOGY" (left-handed one-out guy) are fading.
Giants fans might remember how Barry Bonds once kept a whole division of LOOGYs busy, with pitchers like Chuck McElroy and Mike Myers thriving on such matchups.
However, in a division stacked with formidable left-handed hitters-think Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy on the Dodgers-having reliable southpaws in the bullpen seems crucial. The hope is that Lucchesi's experience, Miller's recovery, Gage's steadiness, and Hentges' eventual return will provide the balance needed to tackle these challenges head-on.