As the SF Giants continue to rely on bullpen games, they will need to rotate through the 40-man roster as needed. Landen Roupp was recalled from Sacramento on Sunday, and Spencer Howard was designated for assignment, according to the team’s transaction record.
SF Giants recall Landen Roupp, place former top pitching prospect on waivers
In 2024, the Giants will have the most bullpen innings pitched in MLB with 350.2. However, this excludes innings pitched as an opener, like as Erik Miller, who has started seven games this season.
The pitching staff is overwhelmed. There is no dispute about this. The Giants are hoping that Roupp can provide some much-needed innings. Despite having never pitched above Triple-A, the right-handed pitcher broke camp with the club.
Roupp had a 5.27 ERA in 10 appearances with San Francisco, striking out 12 and walking eight in 13.2 innings. He continued to throw an exceptional 12-to-6 curveball that works well in the zone and as a chase pitch. However, he did not have the same sensation with his sinker, which has a lot of movement.
Roupp was optioned back to Triple-A to stretch out as a starter. However, he was placed on the injured list due to an elbow injury. The right-handed pitcher began a rehab assignment with the ACL Giants, recording five scoreless innings and 12 strikeouts.
It would have been ideal for Roupp to continue developing his arm strength to handle a starter’s workload, but the Giants have a pitching shortage. This implies that he should see some innings, particularly as a bulk-innings reliever.
Spencer Howard, on the other side of the exchange, was designated for assignment. He had no minor league options left, thus he couldn’t be sent down without first going through waivers.
This is not a good outcome for Howard. He had a couple strong performances, but he struggled against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. Howard gave up six earned runs in 2.2 innings in a 14-7 loss.
Overall, the 27-year-old pitcher had a 5.63 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.83 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, and 1.91 SO/W rate in 24 innings. He did an excellent job of soaking up innings, even if they weren’t always high-quality, and it appears like another trade could have been made. Howard joins Trenton Brooks and Raymond Burgos as Giants players on the waiver wire.
