Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It took until the second and final exhibition game for the Giants to begin experimenting.
Their second starter of the very brief preseason will not be a starter. Tyler Rogers will serve as the opener in Tuesday’s matchup with the A’s at Oracle Park, Gabe Kapler announced.
The Giants have more faith in the 29-year-old submariner than anyone else in their bullpen, Rogers emerging at the tail end of last season and continuing to baffle hitters throughout both spring trainings. Kapler has referred to him as a “Swiss army knife” on numerous occasions, the team feeling he can pitch an inning or two or perhaps a bit more, can pitch the first or fifth or ninth, can get righties or lefties out.
“We want to have him prepared for all of those possible scenarios,” Kapler said, in explaining why Rogers will get the ball. “… We’re not concerned about if he goes out, walks a couple batters, not concerned if he gives up a couple of hits — it doesn’t mean that he’s not perfect to open a game.
“It’s the overall skill set that we’re interested in and the ability to be a jack of all trades for us.”
Kapler, while acknowledging Rogers’ lack of experience at the major league level (17 2/3 innings), called him “matchup proof” because of the way his sinker and slider can be effective against hitters from both sides of the plate. In his brief debut season, Rogers got everyone out, and he’s continued to do so in February, March and July, often making hitters look silly.
Rogers throws in the low-80s, his stuff and look dissimilar from just about every other pitcher. The Giants want a look at him as soon as possible, and the A’s will be curious, too.
Kapler said the Giants have not settled on an Opening Night catcher. Joey Bart can be ruled out for reasons the team has cited repeatedly. Lefty Rob Brantly will not be the starter against lefty Clayton Kershaw.
That leaves Tyler Heineman, who caught Johnny Cueto on Saturday, and Chadwick Tromp, whose bat has come alive during camp 2.0.
Kapler said Cueto felt comfortable with Heineman but also has a good rapport with Tromp, who speaks Spanish. The fact the job is still not settled hints Monday and Tuesday are relevant. Tromp is starting Monday, and expect Heineman to start Tuesday.
The Giants’ three catchers “are all capable leaders of pitching staffs,” Kapler said over Zoom. “That includes Johnny. We feel good about that area of the catchers’ skill set and preparation.
“We’re going to keep talking through it,” Kapler said, adding they will take Cueto’s preference into account.