Giants send struggling reliever Ryan Walker to minors
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants despatched struggling reliever Ryan Walker to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday following his fourth straight outing when he allowed at the very least one run.
The transfer with Walker was certainly one of a number of made earlier than the Giants performed a sequence finale towards the Pittsburgh Pirates. Right-hander Gregory Santos was additionally optioned to Sacramento, whereas lefty Sam Hentges was activated from his rehabilitation project and righty Dylan Smith was referred to as up from Triple-A.
Walker started the season because the Giants major nearer after main the staff with 17 saves final season however was unable to maintain that position. After saving back-to-back video games towards the Los Angeles Dodgers Late final month, Walker has been ineffective.
He allowed seven runs and 9 hits with 4 walks in 3⅓ innings over his previous 4 appearances with two blown saves. He allowed two runs, whereas retiring solely two batters, in a loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday to increase his ERA on the season to 6.46 and lead to the demotion to the minors.
Manager Tony Vitello mentioned he believes Walker wants to regain his confidence and he’s hopeful a stint within the minors will assist.
“He’s the same guy skill-wise,” Vitello mentioned. “I do think our pitching coaches identified some things physically that he’s strayed from that when he’s been at his best. Whether it’s posture or how he’s thrown a couple particular pitches. But I think he would agree, too, so I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn, I think it all starts with the mind and what kind of information you’re feeding it.”
Hentges started the season on the injured checklist after being signed as a free agent within the offseason. He had a 1.93 ERA in 10 outings within the minors on a rehab project earlier than getting referred to as up. He final pitched within the majors in 2024 for Cleveland and has a 4.18 ERA over 4 seasons within the majors.
Santos additionally allowed two runs in 1⅓ innings on Saturday and San Francisco wanted contemporary arms within the bullpen.
Smith was acquired from Detroit in March and has a 2.13 ERA in 9 appearances with Sacramento.
The Giants entered the day tied for the worst file within the National League at 15-24. They have tried to shake up the roster this week, calling up slugger Bryce Eldridge from the minors on Monday and buying and selling catcher Patrick Bailey to Cleveland on Saturday.
