As the Giants continue to try out guys who might be part of their next good bullpen, they had a positive update on a right-hander who once seemed set to be the future closer.
Reyes Moronta, out since last summer because of shoulder surgery, joined the alternate site in Sacramento on Friday. Moronta has not pitched since last Aug. 31 and was put on the 45-day injured list during the first camp, but manager Gabe Kapler said the staff believes Moronta has a chance to return in September. He will start a throwing program in Sacramento.
"We're actively seeking out that possibility, we're actively pushing towards (him becoming) an option for us," Kapler said. "We think he has enough time, but of course we always put the health of our players first. We won't push him too hard or too fast."
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Moronta joined the Sacramento camp along with Hunter Bishop, who tested positive for COVID-19 more than a month ago and recently passed the necessary tests to be part of the player pool as planned. Kapler exchanged texts with Bishop and said the 2019 first-round pick is extremely excited to finally be part of the player pool. Bishop isn't close to the big league level, but he should benefit from everyday work with the staff in Sacramento.
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--- The Giants added two more to that camp in a very "2020 baseball season" way. Steven Duggar and Andrew Triggs were taken off the taxi squad and sent back to Sacramento so they can get some reps in while the Giants play the Los Angeles Dodgers. They flew from Denver to Los Angeles with the club and then took separate cars up to Sacramento.
"I think we can be a little bit more flexible there and think about the reps versus being right next door," Kapler said. "We still feel like it's a pretty easy ask to have somebody come from the Sacramento site once we're in Los Angeles."
San Francisco Giants
The Giants hope, obviously, that they don't need reinforcements this week. But if they do need an outfielder like Duggar, that's a lot of time on I-5. Dereck Rodriguez, Andrew Suarez and Chris Herrmann remain on the traveling taxi squad.
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--- Drew Smyly (finger) saw a hand specialist and it went well, Kapler said. The Giants will reevaluate him at the end of this road trip, which goes through Wednesday. Sam Coonrod (lat) has started throwing with no issues
--- Kapler said Jaylin Davis is making progress with his swing and "things are trending in the right direction there." Also in Sacramento, Joey Bart played an inning of first base in Thursday's simulated game.