Mason

Black

There was some hope that Black, who was DFA’d Thursday, would turn into a mid-rotation starter a couple of years back, but he went just 1-5 with a 6.47 ERA in eight starts and two relief appearances with the Giants the last two seasons, and his formerly impressive minor league strikeout rates have really fallen off (29% in 2022, 30% in 2023, 24% in 2024, 21% in 2025). He has an option left and the Royals have ample starting pitching depth, so Black figures to open 2026 back in Triple-A.

Black’s removal from San Francisco’s 40-man mix doesn’t come as a shock after he posted a disastrous 6.47 ERA across 40 1/3 innings over 10 appearances (eight starts) in the big leagues over the past two seasons.

Black threw worked four innings in relief during Friday’s game, and the Giants will call up Tristan Beck to provide a fresh multi-inning arm for the San Francisco bullpen.

Black gets the call to join San Francisco’s relief mix ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Diamondbacks with rookie Carson Seymour returning to the minors. The 25-year-old posted a bloated 6.44 ERA and 31/15 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings (nine appearances, eight starts) last year in his first taste of the big leagues. He figures to operate in long relief.

Luciano was moved to the outfield this spring, and the Giants will give him more reps in the grass at the Triple-A level before a potential call-up. Black is one of the more talented arms in the San Francisco system and could make appearances for the Giants by the end of 2025, but his inconsistent command makes him a tough sell from a fantasy perspective.

Black is sent down after allowing four runs over 2 2/3 innings Wednesday against the D_Backs. The 24-year-old right-hander finished his season with a 6.44 ERA and 31/15 K/BB over 36 1/3 innings, but showed flashes of potentially being a successful starter if he can keep the free passes in check.

Black struggled with command in this one, issuing five walks against the Diamondbacks. Three hits, two walks, and a sacrifice fly in the second inning. He loaded the bases with two walks and a single in the third inning before walking in a fourth run. That would be it for Black, who exits with the four runs allowed and three strikeouts with two outs in the third. The 24-year-old right-hander ends the season with a 6.44 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, and a 31/15 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings.

Black surrendered just four hits in the contest, and he struck out four and walked one. He threw 54-of-84 pitches for strikes; not an elite number, but a nice number to see from a player that has dealt with command problems in his starts. His ERA is still 5.84 even with the scoreless outing, but there’s been just enough good from Black to suggest he can be a fantasy-relevant starter in the coming seasons.

It was a dreadful night both offensively and defensively for the Giants, not that they really seem to be trying at this point anyway. Black was pulled after 79 pitches, even though he was working on seven days’ rest tonight. He’ll probably get another start against the Royals next weekend.

Black gave up three runs in the first, and another run in the fifth in a shaky — but far from abhorrent — start against the San Diego lineup. The 24-year-old struck out six while allowing just one walk. It pushes his ERA to 7.50, but Black has looked better than that in his two starts since being promoted from Sacramento. There’s no scheduled next start for Black yet, but he’ll either face the Brewers or have a rematch with the Padres next week.