Left-hander Reiver Sanmartin was slated to pitch for Team Colombia in this year’s WBC, but the 29-year-old sustained a right hip flexor injury in Colombia’s exhibition against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday in Florida while fielding a comebacker that will keep him out of the tournament.

Sanmartin was back in the Giants’ clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon and will be evaluated. It’s currently unclear whether the left-hander will be ready for the start of the season.

“I think the WBC is a wash for him,” said manager Tony Vitello. “I haven’t spoken to him directly about that. I’m sure he’s a little disheartened or heartbroken about that piece of it.”

Along with Sanmartin, right-handed reliever Joel Peguero reinjured his left hamstring on Monday and sustained a Grade 2 strain, meaning he likely won’t be ready for Opening Day. Manager Tony Vitello said Peguero looked good in his first bullpen after initially injuring his left hamstring, but the injury cropped back up during his second bullpen.

Left-hander Erik Miller’s status for the Opening Day roster remains in flux, but the 28-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction.

Miler, currently dealing with lower back tightness, is scheduled to throw a side session on Wednesday after being limited to throwing off flat ground. Vitello said it’s possible that Miller could get into a game by the end of next week.

As things stand, the Giants have four relievers in camp — Peguero, Miller, Sanmartin and Sam Hentges — who may not be healthy to begin the season. Right-hander Jason Foley will miss Opening Day as well, but that was always the expectation. The Giants’ bullpen was already projected to be a weakness, and this string of injuries could make selecting eight relievers all the more difficult for San Francisco’s brass.

“For right now, it’s kind of a deal where you’re looking at the entire bullpen as it relates to depth, but also the competition piece is still high there,” Vitello said. “It might provide an opportunity for somebody that wasn’t normally going to get one.”

On the position player side, first baseman Rafael Devers (left hamstring tightness) is considered day-to-day as he continues to progress with baseball activities. Vitello said he currently doesn’t have a target date for Devers to return to the lineup but added “at-bats could come pretty soon.”

Center fielder Harrison Bader (right thumb contusion) completed all baseball activities, including hitting, on Tuesday and is scheduled for all baseball activities on Wednesday. Bader will soon leave camp and join Team Israel for the World Baseball Classic.

Fellow outfielder Drew Gilbert (left shoulder impingement) is scheduled to begin hitting on Wednesday, but is still being withheld from throwing.

Birdsong, Walker throw in sim game

Before Wednesday night’s home game against the Seattle Mariners, right-handers Hayden Birdsong and Ryan Walker threw in a simulated game at Papago Park. According to Vitello, Birdsong and Walker threw at Papago instead of a Cactus League game to keep them on schedule.

Birdsong pitched two innings and tossed 39 pitches while Walker threw 23 pitches in one inning, the goal for both pitchers being to get their pitch counts up. Vitello said Walker was “really good” and that Birdsong’s second inning was better than his first.

“Really good presence, real efficient, good pitch mix,” Vitello said of Birdsong’s second inning. “The first inning wasn’t poor, but if you asked anybody — and there were a lot of people over there watching — you look at those two innings, it wasn’t a different guy but the second inning was definitely exciting.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic officially begins on Wednesday evening, beginning with a matchup between Australia and Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo Dome, and the Giants will be very well-represented during this year’s tournament.

San Francisco has seven players from its 40-man roster currently slated to play this year’s WBC: Logan Webb (United States), Luis Arraez (Venezuela), Heliot Ramos (Puerto Rico), Jung Hoo Lee (Korea), Harrison Bader (Israel), Tristan Beck (Great Britain) and José Buttó (Venezuela). Lee, playing in his second tournament, will captain Korea.

Reiver Sanmartin (Colombia) was supposed to pitch in the tournament as well, but sustained a right hip injury in Colombia’s exhibition on Tuesday against the Pirates that will keep him out of the WBC. Bader has been dealing with a right hand contusion that prevented him from swinging for several days, but the 31-year-old outfielder still plans on playing in the tournament.

The Giants’ representatives only begin with those players. Vice president of medical and performance Dave Groeschner will be Team USA’s head trainer, serving the same role he held in 2017 and ’23 for Team Netherlands. Ron Wotus (bench coach), Dave Righetti (pitching coach) and Lipso Nava (third base coach) will work for Team Italy.

There’s also Dusty Baker, currently a special advisor to baseball operations, who will manage Team Nicaragua. Marvin Benard, who Baker managed in San Francisco, and long-time friend George Santiago both helped convince Baker to manage Team Nicaragua in this year’s tournament.

“I played in Latin America — Venezuela, Mexico and Puerto Rico — and it was the most exciting time, the most exciting baseball that I’ve ever (played),” Baker said during MLB’s Winter Meetings.

Jacob Cruz, the Giants’ minor league assistant hitting coordinator, will be Team México’s hitting coach. Chris Walsh, Triple-A Sacramento’s athletic trainer, will serve that role for Team Canada, and minor league outfielder Dayson Croes will play for Team Netherlands.

Webb did not pitch in Team USA’s one-sided 15-1 victory against the Giants on Tuesday at Scottsdale Stadium, instead watching the Bednar brothers each throw scoreless innings, but the two-time All-Star will start the United States’ first game of pool play against Brazil on Friday.

“It’s an honor just to play for the team, let alone pitch the first game. It’s kind of my job to set the tone, so I’m excited about it,” Webb said.

Webb has so far enjoyed his time with Team USA, a stacked roster featuring MVPs like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper and Cy Youngs like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. Webb has also had his share of talks with future Hall of Famer and former rival Clayton Kershaw, who temporarily came out of retirement for the tournament.

“Honestly, last year I met him at the All-Star Game and he was open there, so it’s kind of just building off of that,” Webb said. “It’s a lot of shooting the [expletive] right now, but hopefully once we start getting into more serious games we’ll have more conversations.”

Assuming Team USA advances as expected, Webb’s second appearance of the tournament will be in the quarterfinals on either March 13 or March 14. The tournament has pitch count restrictions, and Groeschner will be present to monitor San Francisco’s ace throughout the tournament.

“We’ve certainly talked to Webby, and he’s really excited about this opportunity,” said general manager Zack Minasian. “It’s something that he’s earned, given the type of player and the type of person he is. Not going to say we won’t be holding our breath when he pitches, but certainly happy for him that he’s getting this opportunity to show his ability on the world stage.”

Ramos won’t just be playing in the tournament for the first time, but he’ll also have the opportunity to play on his home turf. Team Puerto Rico, otherwise known as “Team Rubio” in reference to everyone going blonde, will have its pool play games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. For Ramos, the tournament allows him to play in front of friends and family on the world stage.

“It’s a proud moment for me and my family,” Ramos said. “When my mom, my dad, my family and friends found out, they were all excited about it. Everybody’s waiting for it. It’s something that I never imagined would happen. Representing Puerto Rico at my house, it’s tight. Out of this world.”

But what about David? Before Tuesday afternoon, how many times had big brother watched little brother pitch in the pro game?

“It’s a lot to zero,” Will said with a smile on Tuesday morning.

Now, it’s a lot to one.

There was no shortage of really cool moments during Team USA’s blowout victory over the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Top prospect Bryce Eldridge talked with his childhood idol. Eight prospects suited up for the United States, sharing a dugout with All-Stars and superstars. And as for the Bednar brothers, they faced each other for the first time in their lives.

“I use the word surreal all the time, but that’s exactly what it is,” said father Andy Bednar. “To have both guys pitching in the same game, you couldn’t have scheduled this any better. We knew this potentially could happened, so we scheduled months ago to come out here for this week. But this worked out incredibly.”

Said mother Sue Bednar: “This is amazing to see them together in uniform. Of course, David represents the U.S.A. That’s next level, and we’re so proud of both of them.”

David, pitching in his second World Baseball Classic for Team USA, entered in the bottom of the seventh inning with the United States already holding a commanding 12-run lead in what would be a 15-1 victory. The two-time All-Star handled his business quickly, retiring the side on nine pitches.

As David walked off the mound, Will jogged towards it for the top of the eighth. Will had to work around some traffic, allowing a single to Cal Raleigh and walking Giants prospect Scott Bandura, but he escaped the frame without allowing a run. And while David had the cleaner inning, Will topped out at 98.0 mph while David peaked at 95.5 mph.

“I think about all of their hard work and all the years of not just playing games and going to practices,” said Sue, “but all the extra stuff and extra workouts and extra time put in behind the scenes that nobody sees. That makes a big difference and allows them to do what they do. I’m just so proud of both of them for all they’ve accomplished, both on the field and off the field.”

The Bednar brothers traveled vastly different roads to get to Tuesday’s exhibition.

David was selected in the 35th round (which no longer exists) of the 2016 MLB draft out of Lafayette College, a private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania. Will, by contrast, was the 14th overall pick in the ‘21 MLB draft after being named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player for Mississippi State.

While Will has the prospect pedigree, it’s been David who emerged as one of the best relievers in baseball. After making his debut in 2019, David was traded to his hometown Pirates in ‘21 as part of a three-team deal, then earned back-to-back All-Star nods in ‘22 and ‘23.

Will’s professional career has been much bumpier up to this point. He only appeared in 16 games over his first two professional seasons due to lingering back issues, transitioning from starting to relieving by the end of the 2024 season. Bednar spent most of ‘25 with Double-A, posting a 4.97 ERA with Richmond before making a brief cameo with Triple-A Sacramento at season’s end.

This isn’t to say David’s career has been without bumps in the road.

Following three excellent seasons from 2021-23 (2.25 ERA), Bednar had a 5.77 ERA in 2024 and lost the closer role. In ‘25, the Pirates quickly demoted Bednar to Triple-A after he retired three total batters in his first three outings. Bednar found his footing but was traded from his hometown team to the New York Yankees at the deadline, emerging as their closer down the stretch.

Throughout their respective ups and downs, the brothers leaned on one another as sounding boards.

“I think just that brotherly bond,” David said. “He knows what this is like and what the whole thing is. I think you’re always kind of picking each other’s brains and sharing experiences.”

“Having each other as resources has been amazing,” Sue said. “David kind of blazed the trail, and Will has been able to gain all of that extra knowledge that he may not have had if he didn’t have David. … They’re the only ones who really know what it’s like and what that’s all about, so for them to be able to lean on each other is huge.”

Will went untaken in the Rule 5 Draft after finishing the 2025 season with a 5.68 ERA over 52 1/3 innings, but there’s reason to believe the right-hander has legitimate major-league upside. While Bednar’s ERA didn’t look great, he posted a much more encouraging 3.18 FIP. Bednar issued a ton of free passes (15.8% BB%) but struck out more than a third of all batters he faced (34% K%).

There’s also the stuff. His velocity ticked up from the low 90s to the mid-to-high 90s in his first full year as a reliever, and this spring, he’s tweaked his slider shape so it better plays off his four-seam fastball. His outings in Arizona haven’t been crisp, but including Tuesday’s exhibition, he’s got three scoreless frames under his belt.

It would be another amazing moment for the Bednar family if Will were in San Francisco for Opening Night at Oracle Park, where David’s Yankees will be coming to town to start the season. Even if Will starts the season in the minors, he’s knocking on the door of making his debut. Given how the Giants’ bullpen is light on strikeout stuff, Bednar could force his way to the majors if he can dial in his command.

David had to wait several years before finally getting the chance to watch his brother pitch professionally. If Will takes to relieving as well as his brother, another sibling matchup could be in the cards down the road.

“It’d be so special,” David said. “He works his butt off. Hopefully, the opportunity comes and he’s going to make the most of it.”

For Eldridge, the moments that will resonate most years from now will be the conversations he had with a pair of future Hall of Famers, both of whom now know the Giants’ top prospect on a first-name basis.

“To this point, that was one of the cooler things I’ve ever done,” Eldridge said. “Guys who I’ve watched growing up and guys who I’ve always looked up to all in one spot. It was a great experience for me and I’m glad I got the opportunity to play out there for eight innings.”

As Team USA elicited oohs and aahs during batting practice, Eldridge sought out two-time MVP Bryce Harper. Harper was Eldridge’s idol growing up, the player he tried to mimic. Eldridge tried doing the math when he was a kid: Would Harper still be in the majors by the time Eldridge arrived? The answer, Tuesday proved, is yes.

“Today was the first time I got to meet him,” Eldridge said. “He knew who I was, which, in my mind, that’s enough for me. It’s pretty cool.”

Said Harper: “(I knew) he’s a high prospect, really good player. Good swing, had some pretty good numbers and pretty good years in the minors. That swing he put on today was pretty good to center field. Sky’s the limit for his future.”

Eldridge also got to chop it up with three-time MVP Aaron Judge, one of the few ballplayers that 6-foot-7 Eldridge can meet at eye level. The two titans stood side-by-side during the top of the first after Judge drove in two runs with a single, and Eldridge told Judge that he had been waiting for the opportunity to see how he literally measures up.

“I was just curious what everyone thought when I got back in the dugout,” Eldridge said. “I kept asking everyone, ‘Who’s taller?’ I mean, he had the helmet on and he was standing on the bag, so he towered over me. But I think we’re pretty similar in height. He might be a little thicker than me. … Now I know how people feel when I stand next to them.”

The conversation at first base had more depth than height. In 2022, Eldridge captured gold for the United States in the U-18 Baseball World Cup. When the next World Baseball Classic rolls around, Judge wants to see Eldridge representing the stars and stripes on an even bigger stage.

“We hope to see you here on the next go-round,” Eldridge recalled Judge saying.

“I don’t know if he was just trying to be super nice to me or if he meant it, but I’ll take that. It’s just cool. Those guys follow the game and they respect the young guys, which is awesome.”

Those conversations with Harper and Judge will be Eldridge’s core recollections from this day, but the 21-year-old also made a couple of plays worth remembering.

In the top of the third, Eldridge made a diving stop to snag Bobby Witt Jr.’s sharp grounder nearly 20 feet off the bag, then flipped the ball to pitcher Adrian Houser at first base. Two innings later, Eldridge fielded a ground ball off Kyle Schwarber’s bat and delivered a strike to second, initiating a 3-6-1 double play.

Eldridge expressed disdain for booting a routine grounder in the seventh, but rookie manager Tony Vitello came away impressed with the top prospect’s effort on defense.

“As a young guy, you can get a little too far down on yourself because you want to impress and you want to do as well as you know you’re capable of doing,” Vitello said. “But I don’t think these guys can lose sight of what their own personal highlights are. … The two plays he made, I don’t know that he makes those earlier in the camp, much less last year. The progress is there.”

Eldridge was far from the only player making memories that will last a lifetime.

After two-time All-Star David Bednar pitched a scoreless bottom of the seventh for Team USA, his brother, former first-rounder Will Bednar, tossed a scoreless frame of his own in the top of the eighth inning for the Giants.

For David, who is six years older than Will, Tuesday’s exhibition was his first opportunity to watch his younger brother pitch in pro ball. What made the moment even sweeter for the Bednars was that their parents and sister were in attendance as well.

“I’m so proud of him, and it’s been cool to watch his journey,” David said before the game. “I know he’s excited for his first big-league camp. To have the worlds kind of collide a little bit right here, it’s awesome.”

“I’m fired up,” Will said pregame. “This is the first time that we’ll ever throw against each other. Hopefully, the first of many, right? I’m really excited to have him be there in-person and see me throw and for me to see him throw.”

Tuesday’s exhibition also provided eight Giants prospects — Dakota Jordan, Gavin Kilen, Zach Morgan, Charlie Szykowny, Lorenzo Meola, Scott Bandura, R.J. Dabovich and John Michael Bertrand —  the opportunity to suit up for Team USA for the day.

Jordan and Kilen, the Giants’ respective No. 8 and 9 prospects per Baseball America, each contributed RBI singles while Szykowny drove in a run with a double. Dabovich retired a batter to complete the bottom of the sixth as well.

“What a great experience to be in the dugout with all those guys,” said Kilen, the Giants’ 2025 first-rounder who played under Vitello at Tennessee. “I got to pick their brains a little bit. I got to play third — I haven’t played third since my freshman year of college. (Team USA manager Mark) DeRosa kind of went down the line and was asking guys who’s available and I thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“I looked over during the national anthem and I was like, ‘Who’s that big, tall guy that looks like Charlie Szykowny?’” Eldridge recalled. “Later on, I get a closer look and it’s him, Bandura, Kilen and all them. I thought we were just going to have pitchers pitching for them, but that was cool. They did very well.”

Logan Webb was just a spectator for Team USA on Tuesday, but the two-time All-Star got the nod for the United States’ first game of pool play on Friday against Team Brazil. Assuming Team USA advances, as expected, Webb is lined up to then pitch in the quarterfinals.

“It’s an honor just to play for the team, let alone pitch the first game. It’s kind of my job to set the tone, so I’m excited about it,” Webb said.

Following Webb, two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will start against Great Britain on Saturday, while 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes will face Mexico on March 9. Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean is scheduled to face Italy on March 10, but he’s currently under the weather.

Additionally, Skenes will pitch for Team USA on Tuesday when the Giants host the Americans at Scottsdale Stadium in a pre-WBC exhibition game. Along with Skenes, Griffin Jax, Matthew Boyd, David Bednar and Mason Miller are scheduled to pitch on Tuesday as well.

Blade Tidwell, who has impressed early this spring, is slated to throw multiple innings against Team USA. DeRosa has yet to announce his star-studded lineup, but it could look like this:

1. SS Bobby Witt Jr.

2. RF Aaron Judge

3. DH Kyle Schwarber

4. C Cal Raleigh

5. 1B Bryce Harper

6. CF Byron Buxton

7. 3B Alex Bregman

8. LF Roman Anthony

9. 2B Brice Turang

Team USA is participating in Pool B, which also features Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. The games will be held at Daikin Park, the home of the Houston Astros.

The Giants’ lineup won’t be at full strength against Team USA since Heliot Ramos (Puerto Rico) and Jung Hoo Lee (Korea) have already left camp for the WBC. Harrison Bader (right thumb contusion) and Rafael Devers (left hamstring tightness) are dealing with injuries as well, but shortstop Willy Adames, third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Patrick Bailey are expected to play.

Webb, 29, was sharp leading up to the World Baseball Classic, pitching two perfect innings against the Los Angeles Angels then tossing three innings of one-run ball versus the San Diego Padres.

This will mark Webb’s first time participating in the tournament. Webb was originally slated to pitch for Team USA in 2023, but ultimately elected to remain in camp. The following April, Webb signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension.

The calculus is already shifting as far as who’s making a case for the Opening Day roster. Projected starters Hayden Birdsong and Carson Whisenhunt have struggled, but Blade Tidwell and Trevor McDonald have both made strong impressions. There’s also a non-roster invitee who can’t stop racking up the hits.

There are three weeks of exhibitions remaining, and a lot can change between now and Opening Night against the New York Yankees on March 25. But here are some players who are trending up and trending down:

Trending up: Blade Tidwell

If the Giants were hosting a completely open competition for their rotation, Tidwell has looked deserving of a starting spot. With San Francisco’s rotation full, Tidwell is positioning himself for the next best thing: grab a job on the Opening Day roster as a reliever.

Tidwell made a strong first impression to begin Cactus League play, throwing a scoreless inning with three strikeouts. The right-hander allowed two runs over two innings in his second appearance but generated nine whiffs, six being with his sweeper.

The 24-year-old Tidwell is slated to pitch multiple innings when the Giants host Team USA in an exhibition ahead of the World Baseball Classic, and he can further improve his stock if he performs well against a lineup full of All-Stars and superstars.

Trending down: Hayden Birdsong

It’s still very early, but Birdsong just hasn’t looked good in Cactus League play. He’s faced 14 batters, recorded four outs and allowed eight runs.

In his first appearance, he retired one batter and allowed five runs. In his second, he surrendered three more runs and only pitched one inning despite being slated for two. It’s also worth noting that Birdsong will not pitch against Team USA on Tuesday despite pitching on the same day as Tidwell in their first two appearances.

“I just don’t think he came away throwing the ball as well as he can,” Vitello said following Birdsong’s outing against the Rockies. “He’s certainly got good stuff — that’s kind of been beat up ad nauseam — but I think as far as watching body language, presence, how he threw the ball, I think he’s capable of better.”

Trending up: Trevor McDonald

McDonald turned heads last September during his short stint with the team, and he’s continued to do so this spring. Following an impressive showing leading up to games, McDonald has pitched three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and has only allowed one baserunner (via hit by pitch).

Trending down: Carson Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt lit up the radar gun in a simulated game leading up to Cactus League games, but the left-hander has gotten hit around to begin the spring.

Through two outings, the 25-year-old has allowed nine earned runs while retiring just eight batters. Whisenhunt’s velocity spike is unquestionably very encouraging and could raise his ceiling as a starting pitcher if he’s able to sustain that premium gas. But as far as making the team out of camp? It’s been a rocky start.

Trending up: Caleb Kilian

Kilian was drafted in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Giants out of Texas Tech before San Francisco traded him to the Chicago Cubs (along with Alexander Canario) for Kris Bryant. In his second stint with San Francisco, Kilian is already making waves as a non-roster invite. Along with pitching three scoreless innings, Kilian’s stuff and velocity has looked excellent.

Trending down: Drew Gilbert

The Giants added another name to the fourth outfielder competition at the start of camp, signing Will Brennan to a one-year major-league deal. Brennan’s experience in the majors (269 games) made him a compelling candidate to make the roster over Gilbert, and the 25-year-old has had a fine spring so far, going 4-for-12 at the plate with two doubles, two RBIs, three runs and three walks. Gilbert, meanwhile, is dealing with a left shoulder impingement and won’t throw for most of this week.

Trending up: Victor Bericoto

Bericoto, in all likelihood, isn’t a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster after spending almost all of last season with Double-A Richmond. Still, few players in camp have made a stronger impression than Bericoto, who signed with the Giants out of Venezuela in 2018.

Over seven games, the 24-year-old Bericoto is 8-for-15 (.533) with two homers and nine RBIs. Last week, Bericoto hit a no-doubt grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers, taking a well-deserved moment to admire his work before rounding the bases.

Trending down: Erik Miller

Left-hander Sam Hentges, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal to join the Giants this offseason, has already been doubtful for the Opening Day roster, but Miller’s status now also appears to be more up in the air as well.

The 28-year-old Miller, who missed the second half of last season with a left elbow sprain, is currently dealing with lower back tightness that’s limiting him to throwing off flat ground. It’s unclear when Miller will make his Cactus League debut, and it’s possible that he’s not ready for the start of the season.

Trending up: Patrick Bailey

Few players in the Giants’ clubhouse know the strike zone as well as Bailey, and the two-time Gold Glove Award winner has already proven himself proficient at turning balls into strikes with the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge. Entering Monday, Bailey’s five successful challenges are the most among catchers in the Cactus League.

It was 2018, and Chavez was pitching for the Texas Rangers, one of nine teams he pitched for in his career. One night, Chavez, an avid gamer, hopped on to play Call of Duty with fellow pitcher Mike Minor. Minor said he had a friend named Quentin Eberhardt who wanted to join their party; Chavez was on board.

Over virtual combat, Chavez and Eberhardt formed a virtual friendship. Four years later, they finally met when Chavez was traded to the Chicago Cubs, who employed Eberhardt as head strength and conditioning coach. The two continued gaming, and their relationship continued growing stronger.

Fast-forward to this past fall, when Eberhardt was having lunch with Tony Vitello. Eberhardt and Vitello worked together at Tennessee, and they’d be coworkers once again in San Francisco. Vitello needed a bullpen coach; Eberhardt had just the guy.

Not that Eberhardt really needed to do any convincing.

“You look at what he’s done in his career, you look at who he is as a human, it’s like one plus one equals two. I didn’t do anything — Jesse did,” Eberhardt said. “Jesse’s done everything in his career. He works his butt off. He’s a great human. He’s great with people, great with communicating, knows the game and wants to help the game.”

“To play on national television and be on winning teams and get asked for autographs and interviews, it can inflate your ego — and it probably should a little bit,” said Vitello. “But to come in and put that in your back pocket; be one of the guys; offer up good advice when it’s asked for; and take a back seat and just listen even though your knowledge is probably off the charts … it’s been a really refreshing balance.”

Chavez, 42, joins the Giants as Vitello’s bullpen coach immediately following a true journeyman career in the majors that spanned nearly two decades. He was drafted in the 42nd round — a round that no longer exists — of the 2002 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers but didn’t make his debut until ‘08 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Over the years, he suited up for the Pirates, Braves, Royals, Blue Jays, A’s, Dodgers, Angels, Rangers and Cubs.

The right-hander spent multiple seasons with all of those teams aside from the Dodgers but seldom stayed in one place for too long. Still, it wasn’t uncommon for Chavez to reunite with teams later down the line, evidenced by him having multiple stints with the Blue Jays, Rangers, Braves, Cubs and Angels.

Chavez had five different stints with Atlanta, one of which saw him win a World Series in 2021. Chavez’s final outing, appropriately enough, was last July with the Braves. After being designated for assignment on July 17, 2025, Chavez officially announced his retirement a week later.

To Chavez, the reason that teams wanted him back was because of his demeanor as a teammate.

“Obviously, we have those moments where we walk out of the field clumping our fists, but I was never too low,” Chavez said. “I was on a one-year contract my entire career, for the most part. Part of it was minor league deals, so I didn’t have the chance or the luxury to do that, or kick the dirt around or stuff like that. There were certain points in my career where I got to the point where I could do that, but even then, I caught myself like, ‘What are you doing?’

“So I just think it was how I presented myself out there and showed who I was being on the inside.”

Chavez hadn’t been retired for five months when he replaced Garvin Alston as the Giants’ new bullpen coach. He considered last summer to be his gap year, and while he joked that his daughters got tired of him, his main motivation to jump into coaching was the uncertainty surrounding the 2027 season.

In Chavez’s estimation, if he didn’t coach in 2026 and the ‘27 season was lost due to the impending labor battle, that meant he would’ve been out of the game for two-and-a-half years. As his playing career wound down, Chavez intentionally targeted the ‘26 season as his introduction to coaching.

Chavez is approaching coaching the same way he approached being a good teammate. His philosophies are simple: show up every day, forget yesterday, prepare for today. Chavez’s title is different, but he doesn’t want to fall into the trap of changing who he is just because he’s coaching and not playing.

“I feel like I’ve seen it too many times where you get into the coaches’ box, and now all of a sudden, it’s got to be a different thing. No, no,” Chavez said. “I feel like those ones kind of run their way out. So, I don’t want to do that. I don’t want them to think, ‘Oh, he was this, and I heard all this, and then now, all of a sudden, he’s going to do this.’ I don’t work that way. It’s one way I never believed in.”

Chavez is tasked with guiding a bullpen that projects to be a legitimate weakness. San Francisco’s relievers finished fourth in the majors in ERA last season, but this unit will be without several arms from last season.

Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers were traded, while All-Star Randy Rodríguez will be out until 2027 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Giants signed left-hander Sam Hentges and right-hander Jason Foley, but Foley is out until midseason while Hentges is doubtful for Opening Day. Left-hander Erik Miller is also dealing with a back ailment that could keep him off the Opening Day roster as well.

“I think you try to keep an open mind,” said general manager Zack Minasian. “We think there’s arm talent on the 40-man roster. We think there’s some non-roster invites that have come in with arm talent as well.”

Chavez had his own arm talent back in his playing career, but his intellect has allowed for a long career and, now, his first shot at coaching. When Chavez was asked about coaches who influenced him, he spoke for three straight minutes as he rattled off a handful of names, from his college coach Dennis Rogers to the late Hector Ortiz. In San Francisco, he’s trying to pay it forward.

As for video game talent? There’s no debating who’s got more skill between him and Eberhardt.

“That’s not even a question,” Eberhardt said. “I love him. That’s my brother, but it’s not even a question. He’ll tell you that.”

Webb made his final Cactus League appearance before joining Team USA ahead of the World Baseball Classic, allowing one run over three crisp innings with three strikeouts. The two-time All-Star allowed a run in the first inning but retired the final seven batters that he faced. The next game at Scottsdale Stadium will be Tuesday as Webb and the United States face San Francisco in an exhibition leading up to the tournament.

“I definitely think there were some good nerves today, maybe knowing that I’m going to go pitch for Team USA,” Webb said. “Maybe that was in the back of my mind, but yeah, felt much-needed today. That was a good one to get out.”

Webb was so efficient (38 innings) that he went to the bullpen following his outing to throw about 15 more pitches. The right-hander is slated to throw around 60 pitches in his first start for Team USA, so the Giants had Webb get in a little more work after facing the Padres.

Mark DeRosa, the former Giant who’s managing Team USA, has yet to announce his starter for the United States’ first pool-play game against Team Brazil on Friday. Webb is currently lined up to make that start, but he did not reveal whether he’ll pitch that day.

Webb and Team USA practice on Monday at the nearby Papago Park Complex, the Giants’ minor league facility in Scottsdale. The next day, Webb and vice president of medical and performance Dave Groeschner will don the red, white and blue instead of the familiar orange and black. Webb said he’ll be in the Giants’ clubhouse the morning of the exhibition before taking off for the tournament.

“I think it’ll be easier to talk trash to Gresh than Webby,” manager Tony Vitello said after the Giants’ 9-1 win. “… It’ll be fun and it’ll be good to put some guys in our dugout in a position where they absolutely know they’re competing against the best.”

While Webb won’t pitch on Tuesday, he’ll enjoy the chance to chirp at his teammates. That includes right-hander Blade Tidwell, who will pitch against Team USA’s star-studded lineup featuring Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper and Cal Raleigh, among others.

Tidwell, 24, is putting together a compelling case to make the Giants’ Opening Day roster as a reliever. In his first outing, Tidwell pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts against the Seattle Mariners. In his second, he allowed two runs over two innings against the Colorado Rockies but generated nine whiffs, six being with his sweeper.

“He’s done really well so far,” Webb said. “I think everyone in here is pretty excited about him. It’ll be fun to watch him pitch against some of the best in the world. I don’t know who’s throwing for Team USA in that game, but I’m sure it’ll be a fun little matchup.”

Between Webb, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Team USA boasts one of the best rotations in the tournament. While Skubal will only make one start in the WBC, Webb and Skenes are both slated to make multiple starts.

The United States’ roster took a hit, at least for pool play, when one-time All-Star Joe Ryan sustained a back injury, but Webb remains confident in the team’s pitching staff. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough will replace Ryan for pool play, and Ryan remains eligible to pitch if Team USA advances.

Webb is especially eager to see rookie right-hander Nolan McLean, who posted a 2.06 ERA over eight starts with the New York Mets last season.

“I’m excited just to watch some of these guys throw bullpens, let alone pitching in the game,” Webb said.

The U.S. hasn’t won the tournament since 2017, the lone time Buster Posey participated. Their roster has more than enough star power to avenge their loss to Japan in ’23, and the road to a second title begins on Tuesday with their exhibition against the Giants.

Worth noting

• Infielder Casey Schmitt celebrated his 27th birthday with a multi-hit day, recording an RBI single in the bottom of the first and a double in the bottom of the sixth.
• With left fielder Heliot Ramos having left to join Team Puerto Rico for the WBC, utility man Tyler Fitzgerald got a start in left field. Between the majors and minors, Fitzgerald played 16 games in the outfield last season. “I think we were waiting for the opportunity to involve everybody in the outfield that needs to be,” Vitello said. “Obviously, the WBC has more positive impact than negative with this group in particular. (Fitzgerald) is one example.”
• Jen Pawol, the first woman to umpire a regular-season MLB game, was the home-plate umpire for Sunday’s game.

Mahle, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal to join San Francisco this offseason, has thrown a slider of some kind for most of his career. But the current version of the pitch, which he threw six times on Saturday, had more movement compared to last season.

While facing the A’s, Mahle generated eight inches of glove-side movement. In 2025, by contrast, Mahle only generated 3.2 inches of horizontal movement with his slider. So far, the returns have been encouraging. Three of the six sliders that he threw generated a swing-and-miss (one striking out All-Star Jacob Wilson) while another landed for a called strike.

“Last year, I had a cutter. It wasn’t a very good pitch but it had its purpose, which is a big part of it, too,” Mahle said. “But to get (the slider) to expand a little bit more glove-side is something I worked hard on.”

Mahle tried throwing a sweeper in 2023 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and while the pitch generated 8.9 inches of horizontal movement, the right-hander believes the pitch could’ve led to elbow discomfort because he threw the pitch differently than his normal arm path. The tweaked slider, by contrast, he throws with a “hard curveball feel.”

“I’d faced him a couple times in the past,” said Giants catcher Eric Haase. “He had a noticeable step in his slider, if you want to put it that way. Where he was throwing the pitches today, the command was fantastic, even his misses. Everything you’d hope to see from him. If we can make that translate into 150 (innings) this year, I think he’s going to be in a great spot.”

The 31-year-old Mahle missed his first go-around in the rotation of Cactus League play because he felt under the weather. Despite missing the start, Mahle shouldn’t be too far behind his fellow starters.

“I think there’s something to a guy like Mahle starting the game and having a calming influence,” said manager Tony Vitello. “It wasn’t a perfect inning, but just the approach.”

McDonald continues to impress with perfect outing

Right-hander Trevor McDonald made his latest case for the Opening Day roster, throwing two perfect innings with three strikeouts in the Giants’ 8-2 win over the A’s.

McDonald’s average sinker velocity Saturday (93.4 mph) wasn’t as hot as his first outing of Cactus League play (95.2 mph), but he landed his sinker and slider for strikes and generated four whiffs.

“When these come out of the ‘pen and they’re just filling up the zone, they’re very nasty, hard to it,” Haase said.

While Baseball Savant lists McDonald as throwing a curveball, McDonald confirmed that he’s actually throwing a slider.

Haase makes impression with grand slam

Following Victor Bericoto’s no-doubt grand slam on Friday, Haase hit a grand slam of his own against the Athletics’ Eduarniel Núñez, one of two hits he had on the day.

“Just trying to get something in the air, and for it to carry out of there is always a plus,” Haase said. “The approach was better and the timing was a lot better today.”

Daniel Susac appears to be the favorite to make the Opening Day roster as Patrick Bailey’s backup catcher due to his Rule 5 Draft status, but Haase has a compelling case in his own right. The 33-year-old Haase is the most experienced catcher in camp, having played 383 games over eight seasons in the majors.

“It doens’t matter how many years you’ve played in the league. You get to where you don’t get immediate results or you don’t get a few strung together, you start pressing,” Vitello said. “Even in (batting practice) on the field, Haase was pressing on the field a little bit. But I think his determination kind of suppressed that. He just came out here and played ball.”

Pair of top prospects turn two

Shortstop Josuar Gonzalez and second baseman Gavin Kilen, Baseball America’s respective No. 2 and No. 9 Giants prospects, won’t get a ton of playing time during Cactus League play, but the duo combined turned a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the ninth inning.

“It was great to see,” Vitello said. “I know that they’ve been working really hard, so it’s good for them to get rewarded and just get a little taste of the action.”

Gonzalez, 18, ended up stranded on the on-deck circle when Jesus Rodriguez made the final out in the top of the ninth, but Vitello said the Giants will try to get the shortstop an at-bat at some point. Kilen, who played under Vitello at Tennessee, grounded out in the top of the eighth inning.

First baseman Rafael Devers, who was scratched from Friday’s lineup, will be withheld from all baseball activity until at least early next week as he deals with left hamstring tightness. Center fielder Harrison Bader, who exited Friday’s game after one at-bat with a right thumb contusion, won’t hit until Monday.

Additionally, outfielder Drew Gilbert won’t throw again for the next five to seven days because of a left shoulder impingement. Left-hander Erik Miller will only throw on flat ground for the next few days because of lower back tightness, but is scheduled to return to the mound in the middle of next week.

In a more positive development, right-handed reliever Joel Peguero said he felt good after a bullpen session on Friday, and is scheduled to make his first appearance of Cactus League play next week.

“He showed up early to camp, showed up in good shape,” said manager Tony Vitello of Devers. “He’s put in a lot of work. … I would lean further towards the four days, but I think he’s in a pretty good spot in my own unprofessional opinion, so that’s why it could be as short as two days, but because of the things he’s done leading up to it, might as well make sure that’s well in the rearview mirror before we move forward.”

Following Friday’s 12-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Vitello said Bader had been dealing with the right thumb ailment for a couple of days. The Giants let Bader start on Friday but removed him after he grounded out in the bottom of the first inning.

Bader committed to playing in the upcoming World Baseball Classic for Team Israel, which has its first game of pool play on March 7 against Luis Arraez, José Buttó and Team Venezuela in Miami. The 31-year-old outfielder will soon leave for the tournament, and it is currently unclear whether this injury will prevent him from playing.

“We’re all getting to know the guy, and now we all know he’s always going to want to go and he’s always going to want to push through things,” Vitello said. “It’s nice for us to be aggressive and put up a stop sign for a couple of days. I don’t want to say this too dramatically, but he’ll be with them, not us, so they’re kind of in charge. He’s in charge of his career, ultimately, so there will be some conversations with those guys and him.”

Left-hander Matt Gage, who made 27 appearances with the Giants last season after he was released by the Tigers, already had a strong chance of making the team out of camp, and if Miller isn’t ready for the start of the season, perhaps a roster spot opens for left-hander Reiver Sanmartin, who will pitch for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.