SF Giants: Two Optioned, Two Begin Rehab Assignments

Earlier this week, the SF Giants were replenishing the Triple-A roster with four notable names.

SF Giants: Two Optioned, Two Begin Rehab Assignments

The Giants optioned both Conner Menez and Joey Bart after they joined San Francisco for the series in Colorado. Furthermore, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Tyler Beede were assigned to Sacramento to begin their respective rehab assignments.

The decision to option both Menez and Bart is not surprising considering that they were brought up for the Colorado series as insurance. Menez did not get into a game, but Bart recorded one hitless at-bat.

On the other hand, the rehab assignments for Wade and Beede are encouraging signs of progress in returning from injury. Wade appeared briefly with the Giants in April, registering two hits in six at-bats before sustaining a left oblique strain.

San Francisco acquired the left-handed bat in a trade that sent reliever Shaun Anderson to the Minnesota Twins this past winter. The Giants like his defense in the outfield and his bat, but they believe he has more power than he has previously shown. To his credit, Wade is off to a nice start as he has collected one hit in four at-bats along with four walks while setting the table for Sacramento’s offense.

Beede’s return to the mound is an exciting step forward for someone who underwent Tommy John surgery only 13 months ago. The right-handed hurler pitched on Opening Night for Sacramento where he recorded two strikeouts in his first appearance while being on a 20-pitch limit.

The length of his rehab assignment will be based partly on how the Giants want to use Beede in 2021. He has come up as a starter, and that usually means he will need several more starts to build up his arm strength. With that being said, San Francisco’s bullpen is very much in flux at the moment, and adding a hard-throwing arm like Beede as a reliever could be mutually beneficial.

The Giants have not indicated whether they are considering a role change for the 27-year-old pitcher, so it fair to suggest that they will be using him as a starter.

The rehab assignments for both players could be lengthy as the injuries that Wade and Beede sustained are not ones that you want to rush back from. Nevertheless, it is an encouraging step for both, and hopefully, they will be back at Oracle Park soon enough.