SAN DIEGO — The Giants played it coy, but ultimately their closer is the same as at the end of last season.
Bochy named Will Smith the closer before Thursday’s season opener but added that he spoke to the relievers and different guys could get a shot at some point. Smith had a strong season in 2018 after coming back from Tommy John surgery, saving 14 games with a 2.55 ERA.
The veteran left-hander was a popular name in trade talks throughout the winter but Farhan Zaidi kept together a group that should be the strength of the team. Smith, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Sam Dyson will get most of the innings at the back end of games. Reyes Moronta could have a more important role, although Bochy said he loves using Moronta to get out of jams in the sixth and seventh.
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“He did such a great job in that role,” Bochy said. “Sometimes we forget how important that sixth and seventh is and he did a great job keeping us in games.”
In addition to those five, the bullpen includes newcomers Nick Vincent, Trevor Gott and Travis Bergen.