SF Giants: Silvino Bracho out with oblique strain

In a videoconference with reporters on Saturday, SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler revealed that right-handed pitcher Silvino Bracho suffered a left oblique strain and would be unable to work off a mound for at least 7-10 days.

Bracho seemed like a possible sleeper to make the Opening Day roster. With an open competition for the big-league bullpen’s final spots, the reliever struck out 12 batters against just 2 walks in 7.1 innings across 7 appearances during spring training. However, while his peripherals were strong, he did finish the preseason with a 4.91 ERA. Bracho was reassigned to the alternate training site in Sacramento at the end of spring training.

SF Giants RHP Silvino Bracho is out with a left oblique strain.

Bracho signed a minor-league deal with the Giants this offseason. As the team searched for bullpen depth, Bracho’s experience across five big-league seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks was surely appealing. Before he was outrighted by Arizona at the end of last season, he accrued 89.2 big-league innings and posted a 4.82 ERA (4.86 FIP).

Throughout his minor-league career, Bracho has been dominant. Even though he works without elite velocity or an obvious plus pitch, he’s posted a 2.97 ERA and struck out more than 35% of the batters he’s faced. Even if he missed the Opening Day roster, he is a strong candidate to receive an opportunity with the Giants at some point this season.

Assuming Silvino Bracho can recover quickly from his left oblique strain, he should rank highly among the SF Giants minor-league depth chart. The 28-year-old righty has been a dominant minor-league pitcher with a decent amount of big-league experience as well. He hopes to carry over his success in the minors to MLB this season.