Giants option Ryan Walker to Triple-A after recent struggles – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
SAN FRANCISCO — Patrick Bailey and Ryan Walker arrived on the identical day in May 2023, and whereas Bailey was a two-time Gold Glove winner, there have been a whole lot of moments when Walker was simply as essential to the Giants’ destiny. Three years later, they had been taken off the roster on back-to-back days.
Walker was knowledgeable after Saturday’s game that he was headed again to Triple-A for the primary time since that call-up, a choice that got here an evening after Bailey was traded to the Cleveland Guardians. The Giants additionally optioned right-hander Gregory Santos and added relievers Sam Hentges and Dylan Smith.
Walker entered the 2026 MLB season as the main option within the ninth inning, however he has given up a run in 4 straight appearances, and two runs got here throughout in three of these video games. He has a 6.46 ERA and 4.96 FIP, and his strikeout fee is the bottom of his profession.
Giants supervisor Tony Vitello has by no means named a better, partially as a result of Walker struggled in that position final yr after dominating in 2023 and 2024. Walker had his finest stretch in late April, closing out the Los Angeles Dodgers on back-to-back days, however he blew a save in Philadelphia on the following street journey and was handed by Caleb Kilian and Keaton Winn within the late innings. Kilian is the present prime option within the ninth.
Hentges was signed in the offseason as a part of an effort to repair the bullpen with out spending a lot. The tall left-hander has dominated within the large leagues prior to now however had a sluggish restoration from shoulder surgical procedure. He made 9 rehab appearances with Sacramento and had good numbers, though his ERA is down a few ticks from his earlier large league stints. He had reached the tip of his allotted time on a rehab project, although, and wanted to be returned to the large league roster.
The Giants acquired Smith in a small commerce with the Detroit Tigers in April. He had a 2.13 ERA as a reliever in Sacramento with multiple strikeout per inning.
