The SF Giants activated left-handed pitcher Alex Wood from the injured list prior to their game on Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. To clear a spot on the active roster, Wood optioned right-handed pitcher Cole Waites ( Giants #26 prospect) to Triple-A Sacramento. Waites had to be pulled from Thursday's 6-2 win over the Dbacks largely because of his inability to throw strikes, which likely made it easier for the organization to option him over someone like Tristan Beck (Giants #19 prospect).
Wood began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday. In his lone minor-league appearance, Wood allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and zero walks across 3.2 innings pitched with 1 strikeout. Wood's fastball averaged just 89.8 mph, and he only induced two swinging strikes over the course of his outing, which is concerning. However, it's not uncommon for veteran pitchers to focus on command on rehab outings with limited focus on throwing at 100%. Nevertheless, it will be worth watching Wood's velocity when he returns to the mound.
Prior to landing on the injured list, Wood recorded a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings pitched with 11 strikeouts and six walks. In the final year of a two-year, $25 million contract, Wood is obviously hoping to pick up where he left off and set himself for a sizable payday this offseason.
Waites became the first player drafted by the Giants under Farhan Zaidi to play for the Giants last season. Waites was drafted in the 18th round of the 2019 draft out of West Alabama and quickly moved through the organization's minor-league ranks. In seven appearances with the Giants last season, he recorded a 3.18 ERA with four strikeouts and four walks in 5.2 innings pitched.
Waites was expected to compete for a spot on the Giants Opening Day roster this season, but a strained oblique early in spring training prevented him from making a strong push. He's struggled mightily back at Triple-A this season, walking 12 in 9.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts and a 9.31 ERA. He continued to struggle in his stint with the Giants, allowing five runs (four earned) across three appearances (2.1 innings pitched) with two strikeouts, two walks, and six hits.
The SF Giants are going to give the start on Thursday to right-handed reliever John Brebbia, but expect southpaw Alex Wood to quickly enter to give the team some length. Wood only threw 46 pitches in his one rehab start, so he will likely be limited to 45-60 pitches in his first big-league appearance.
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