SF Giants: Jason Vosler Optioned, Johnny Cueto Reinstated

The SF Giants announced yet another roster move on Sunday that involved bringing back a key arm to the rotation.

SF Giants: Jason Vosler Optioned, Johnny Cueto Reinstated

Johnny Cueto is returning to the rotation after missing a couple of starts following a Grade 1 lat strain. To make room on the 26-man roster, the Giants have optioned infielder Jason Vosler to Sacramento.

The left-handed bat has had two, separate stints with the Giants in 2021, but he has not been used consistently in either stint. He has registered two hits with one RBI in 14 at-bats while seeing time at third base and left field.

The Giants like the skillset he brings to the table as they felt comfortable signing him to a major league pact prior to the season. The 27-year-old had not appeared in the majors before 2021, but the Giants see him playing a significant role this year.

San Francisco will be happy to see Johnny Cueto return to the rotation. The 35-year-old only made three starts before hitting the shelf, but he was beginning to look like his old self. In 2021, the right-handed hurler has registered a 1.80 ERA, 1.91 FIP, 0.85 WHIP, and a strong 4.50 SO/W ratio across 20 innings.

This included a stellar outing against the Colorado Rockies in April where he yielded just one earned run on four hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts across 8.2 frames. That strong performance carried over into his next start against the Cincinnati Reds as he completed 5.2 scoreless innings before sustaining the lat strain injury.

Cueto will not have to wait at all before seeing live action as the Giants have penciled him in to start Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres. San Francisco has already taken series, but they have an opportunity to complete the sweep behind Cueto.

Chris Paddack is slated to start the game for Padres, and similar to Cueto, he is coming off of the injured list. He had no injury designation, so it is possible his stay on the injured list was related to the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Nevertheless, this may be a bullpen game for both teams as neither pitcher went through an official rehab assignment to rebuild arm strength.