SF Giants: Drew Smyly Reinstated, Rico Garcia Optioned

The SF Giants announced a slew of roster moves today including reinstating lefty Drew Smyly from the injured list and optioning Rico Garcia back to the alternate training site in Sacramento.

Smyly was placed on the injured list at the beginning of August with a left index finger sprain. It was seemingly a minor injury, but it kept the SF Giants southpaw on the shelf for over a month.

The left-hander came over to the Giants this past offseason as a free agent on a one-year, $4 million pact. He was expected to be a key rotation cog before sustaining the finger injury.

In a very brief showing with the Orange and Black earlier this season, Smyly looked to be a solid addition. Across 8.1 frames, Smyly posted a 3.24 ERA (1.98 FIP) with 11 strikeouts.

The ability to generate strikeouts at such a high rate was an intriguing quality for a starting rotation that has lacked swing-and-miss stuff with the exception of Kevin Gausman. However, Smyly has an extensive injury history and added to it with the index finger sprain.

His return should help bolster the bullpen and give the Giants a long reliever in case a starter is not able to pitch deep into the game.

Smyly did make it into tonight’s game against the San Diego Padres following Trevor Cahill, who completed only three innings. Despite his lengthy absence, Smyly quickly reopened some eyes:

In four innings of work, the left-handed hurler has struck out eight Padres hitters, including Fernando Tatis Jr. in the video above.

SF Giants option Rico Garcia

On the other side of the transaction, Rico Garcia was optioned back to the alternate training site in Sacramento. Garcia’s stay on the major league roster was a brief as he was recalled from Sacramento just a couple of days ago.

The 26-year-old originally came over to the Giants as a waiver claim from the Colorado Rockies in November of 2019. Garcia has posted a 6.75 ERA (4.30 FIP) with only five strikeouts in eight innings while flashing a mid-90’s fastball.

Garcia departs the major league roster, but Smyly could quickly become a weapon out of the bullpen down the stretch if he continues to flash the same stuff he has shown against a tough Padres lineup tonight. The Giants did not make a move at the deadline, but the left-hander might be the shot-in-the-arm that they need.