SCOTTSDALE -- The Giants made one final round of significant cuts on Sunday, getting down to 26 players. Since one of them is an injured backup catcher, they pretty much set their Opening Day roster.
As the team prepares to fly home, only one decision needs to be made: Trevor Brown or Andrew Susac (who has missed a week with right wrist irritation). Mac Williamson, Jarrett Parker and Michael Broadway were optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday. Braulio Lara, Gorkys Hernandez, Grant Green, Conor Gillaspie, George Kottaras and Ramiro Pena were reassigned to minor league camp.
Barring an injury or change of heart over the next week, the Giants will open the season with four outfielders (the three starters plus Gregor Blanco), six infielders (the four starters plus Ehire Adrianza and Kelby Tomlinson), two catchers and 13 pitchers. Chris Heston and Cory Gearrin appear to have made the team, rounding out a bullpen that already included Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo, George Kontos, Hunter Strickland, Javier Lopez and Josh Osich.
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The only thing that might alter the current situation is a change in Matt Cain's status, but manager Bruce Bochy and general manager Bobby Evans both said this weekend that they're very confident Cain will be ready to start April 8. Cain will throw in a minor league game on Monday to regulate his pitch count, with Heston pitching in the big league game.
All of the players still in camp -- including Sunday's cuts -- will make the trip to the Bay Area for an exhibition game in Sacramento and three games against the A's at AT&T Park and the Coliseum. It'll be a chance for players to make one last statement on their way to the minors, and several already have.
Williamson hit his fifth homer on Sunday, but the Giants made it clear all spring that he would likely begin the year playing every day in Sacramento. The powerful outfielder missed a year because of Tommy John surgery and the Giants want him to make up for lost at-bats. Parker was a September star, but hit just .239 this spring. Hernandez was impressive early but duplicates much of what Blanco provides. None of the non-roster invitees grabbed a job, but the Giants are pleased with the depth they will have in the high minors.