2 SF Giants who have earned Opening Day roster spot, 2 who already blew their chance

Spring training is moving quickly and in just a few weeks the SF Giants will have to set their Opening Day roster. Some borderline roster guys have taken advantage of Cactus League play while others may be blowing their chance. Let’s look at two guys who may have already locked up a roster spot and two who have probably blown it.

2 SF Giants who deserve to be on Opening Day roster and 2 who do not

Luis Matos

Last September when Luis Matos was demoted, it seemed like his future with the Giants was potentially over. He came into camp this year with no minor league options left so everyone knew he had to have a solid showing in spring training otherwise he would be placed on waivers.

So far he’s been one of the best hitters in camp for the Giants. He has nine hits in 20 at-bats including two doubles and two home runs. Notably, he has yet to strike out.

With Drew Gilbert dealing with a shoulder injury, Matos now seems like a near-lock to make the team as an outfielder on the bench.

Trevor McDonald

On the pitching side, Trevor McDonald has arguably been the most impressive arm in camp. He had some solid starts to end the year with the Giants last season and he has seemed to carry that momentum right over into this season.

In six innings of work, McDonald has allowed no runs and has allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters.

The Giants may put him in the bullpen and try to use him as a long reliever or as a guy to give other arms in the bullpen some rest. Even if he begins the year in Triple-A so he can stay stretched out and be ready to start if there’s an injury in the rotation, he has pitched well enough to make the team. 

Jerar Encarnacion

Encarnacion was in a very similar boat to Matos entering camp. He too is out of minor league options and has shown promise in the past but definitely had to go out and earn a spot this spring.

His numbers have not been that great though despite ample opportunities. He has just four hits in 23 at-bats and has struck out seven times. That’s probably not good enough to make the team and since Encarnacion does not offer a ton defensively the Giants may be comfortable exposing him to waivers.

Hayden Birdsong

This was a very big spring training for Hayden Birdsong after his 2025 season took a turn for the worst. He lost his command last year after a promising showing early on coming out of the bullpen for the Giants.

The hope was that he could be the same guy he was in spring training last year and potentially earn that same bullpen role, but it has been ugly for the young right-hander. He’s given up eight earned runs in his two outings thus far and seems likely to begin the year in Triple-A.

While spring training lasts about a month, impressions are made quickly and they are hard to shake so there isn’t much time for guys to turn things around in the next few weeks.