© Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
With 11 games left before the team packs its bags and leaves Arizona, the San Francisco Giants made their first wave of cuts from spring training on Monday afternoon.
Most notably, Steven Okert was one of eight 40-man players optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, along with Tyler Herb, Pierce Johnson, Chase Johnson, Reyes Moronta, D.J. Snelton, Aramis Garcia, and Miguel Gomez.
Okert had put together a strong spring, posting a 1.93 ERA in 4.2 innings pitched with five strikeouts. But that performance wasn’t enough as he fell behind Tony Watson and Josh Osich (who hasn’t allowed a run in 4.2 innings pitched with six strikeouts and only one walk) in the bullpen pecking order.
Yet, with few left-handed options in their bullpen, it’s not out of the question that the Giants will recall Okert to the major leagues this season.
Five non-roster players will also depart from camp. The Giants assigned Tyler Cyr, Jose Flores, Dereck Rodriguez, Madison Younginger, and Alen Hansen to minor-league camp.