PHOENIX -- The Giants believe they're deeper on the 40-man roster in past years, but there's a glaring gap behind starting center fielder Denard Span, and one game into the season it's already a bit of an issue.
Span was held out of Tuesday's lineup because he came in with tightness in his surgically-repaired left hip, so Gorkys Hernandez started in center field. Manager Bruce Bochy trusts Hernandez, and he even kept him atop the lineup, but the Giants still lack depth in center.
To add one potential option, the Giants are close to adding veteran Drew Stubbs on a minor league deal, a source confirmed to NBCSportsBayArea.com. Stubbs, who was recently released by the Twins, hit .225 in 59 games for the Braves, Rangers and Orioles last season. The 32-year-old has been a center fielder for the majority of his big league career.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The Giants have Wynton Bernard and Orlando Calixte playing center field in Triple-A and Steven Duggar will be there once a flexor injury heals. Jarrett Parker can also play center field at the big league level. Stubbs can help fill in at other spots while spring options are injured. Michael Morse (hamstring) and Mac Williamson (quad) remain in Scottsdale rehabbing. The Giants also plan to play Jae-Gyun Hwang and Ryder Jones in left field quite a bit in Sacramento.
The Giants have never had interest in a reunion with Angel Pagan, and they do not seem interested in Melvin Upton. Jr.
--- Bochy said he'll continue to use Madison Bumgarner as a pinch-hitter, as you might have guessed after watching him Sunday. If you missed it on the day off, here's a look back at all the historic nuggets that came out of that game.