San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello is navigating a unique start to his first professional season, marked by a couple of early off days. After a 7-0 loss to the Yankees, both teams took a breather on Thursday, with another break scheduled for Sunday. This unusual schedule gives Vitello and his staff some strategic choices to make.
One key decision involves ace Logan Webb. The Giants need to determine if they’ll keep Webb on his regular rest schedule.
If they stick to their rotation, Tyler Mahle is slated to pitch on Saturday, with Landen Roupp and Adrian Houser taking the mound in San Diego on Monday and Tuesday. This setup would have Webb pitching again on Wednesday, a week after his season opener.
The World Baseball Classic has already affected Webb’s routine, so maintaining his regular schedule might be crucial. Should the Giants decide to keep Webb on track, he could see action as soon as Monday.
Another consideration is pitcher Ray, who might also stay on his regular rest, potentially pitching on Wednesday. Vitello noted the flexibility afforded by the extra off days, allowing the team to adjust their rotation as needed.
"We don’t have a traditional start with five days in a row, so just line up your guys the way you want," he said. This flexibility could lead to some creative pitching decisions early in the season.
Vitello also has the luxury of managing his bullpen more aggressively due to the extra rest days. With starters typically easing into the season, relievers like Ryan Walker, Erik Miller, and José Buttó, who haven’t seen game action in a while, might get more opportunities.
The manager emphasized the importance of being proactive with bullpen usage. "Maybe having a righty and lefty up, or this is potentially usage for a guy. Right now, we’d rather err on the side of those guys getting hot than not," Vitello explained.
In the lineup, Rafael Devers continues to serve as the designated hitter while managing a lingering hamstring issue. Though he’s capable of playing first base, the team is cautious, prioritizing long-term health over immediate needs. "If it was a playoff game, I think we’d do that," Vitello mentioned, highlighting the balance between immediate performance and season-long strategy.
Meanwhile, right-hander Hayden Birdsong is on the road to recovery after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Despite his season-ending procedure, Birdsong remains a positive influence, offering advice and support to Vitello and the team. He’ll begin his rehab at the Giants Baseball Complex in Arizona, joining fellow pitchers Randy Rodríguez and Rowan Wick in recovery.
As the Giants navigate these early-season challenges, Vitello’s strategic decisions will be key in setting the tone for the rest of the year.