Three Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Break Camp With the Giants
The San Francisco Giants released their list of non-roster invitees to spring training on Wednesday, and while most of the names were expected, one veteran addition raised a few eyebrows. With several roster spots already spoken for, the bullpen remains the most fluid area heading into camp - and that’s where things get interesting.
The Giants spent the offseason adding bullpen depth through low-risk, high-upside moves. And now, with a wide-open competition on tap in the Cactus League, a few familiar names - and one former standout - could force their way into the Opening Day picture.
Here are three non-roster invitees who have a real shot at making the team:
Gregory Santos: A Familiar Flame-Thrower Returns
Gregory Santos is back in orange and black, and while it’s been a few years since his debut with the Giants in 2021, the 26-year-old right-hander brings some intriguing upside into camp.
After bouncing around with the White Sox and Mariners, Santos is looking to re-establish himself - and there’s reason to believe he could do just that. His 2024 stint with Seattle was rocky (a 5.14 ERA over eight appearances), but that came after a much stronger 2023 campaign with Chicago, where he posted a 3.39 ERA across 60 outings.
Santos isn’t just another arm in camp - he’s a power pitcher with a high-90s fastball and the kind of stuff that plays in leverage spots. If he can find consistency this spring, don’t be surprised if he earns a spot in the Giants’ bullpen mix.
Juan Sánchez: A Lefty With Something to Prove
Two springs ago, Juan Sánchez was on the cusp of making the Opening Day roster. The lefty impressed in camp and looked like a strong candidate to crack the bullpen - but the Giants ultimately went in a different direction. Fast forward to now, and Sánchez is back with another shot, though he’s coming off an injury-marred 2025 season.
Still, the opportunity is there. The Giants’ bullpen lacks left-handed depth, and Sánchez has already shown he can compete at this level when healthy. If he can recapture the form he showed in his last healthy spring, he could position himself as a valuable southpaw option out of the ‘pen.
Michael Fulmer: A Veteran Wild Card
Now this was the surprise name on the list.
Michael Fulmer, the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year and a 2017 All-Star, is heading to Scottsdale as a non-roster invitee. At 32, Fulmer isn’t the same pitcher he was during his early years with the Tigers, but he brings experience and a proven track record - something this young bullpen could use.
Injuries have limited Fulmer in recent seasons, and he hasn’t logged a full big league campaign since 2023. But when healthy, he’s shown he can still get outs. His versatility - having pitched in both starting and relief roles - gives the Giants some flexibility, and if he shows he’s still got something left in the tank, he could absolutely pitch his way onto the roster.
The Takeaway
The Giants have built a bullpen battle that’s wide open - and that’s by design. With a mix of youth, unproven depth, and veteran reclamation projects, spring training will serve as a proving ground for arms like Santos, Sánchez, and Fulmer.
None of the three are guaranteed anything, but all bring something the Giants could use: power, balance, and experience. If they show up and perform in Arizona, they won’t just be long shots - they’ll be Opening Day options.