Journeyman SF Giants reliever is already gaining Bob Melvin's trust

Journeyman SF Giants reliever Lou Trivino is making a comeback in 2025 and it has not taken him long to regain the trust of manager Bob Melvin after having not pitched in the big leagues since 2022. We will see if he can keep it up.

The word "regain" is apt because Melvin and Trivino's relationship extends back to their time in Oakland where Melvin was the manager and Trivino was a solid reliever and even served as his closer for a few seasons.

He had some very solid seasons in Oakland, posting a 2.92 ERA in his rookie campaign in 2018 while pitching 74 innings. In 2021 as a closer he had a 3.18 ERA and recorded 22 of 26 save opportunities.

SF Giants reliever Lou Trivino already has gained Bob Melvin's trust

He last pitched in the majors in 2022 and since then has dealt with injuries that have relegated him to the minor leagues. However, the Giants signed him prior to spring training this year and he made the most of it by pitching very well which earned him a spot on the team's Opening Day roster.

Just three games into the season, Melvin has already relied on his former closer in two games. Trivino has pitched two innings and has yet to allow a baserunner.

Notably, Melvin leaned on Trivino in a high leverage spot in Sunday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds. He brought him into the game in the 7th inning with the Giants ahead by one run. At the time, it seemed like Melvin may have been favoring Trivino over Camilo Doval who had yet to pitch this season, but, given the back tightness closer Ryan Walker was experiencing, Melvin had to be a little creative with his bullpen by using Trivino in the 7th and Doval in the 9th.

Nonetheless, it speaks to the trust that Melvin has in Trivino that he was willing to use him in a tight, one-run contest late in the game. Managers certainly develop trust in relievers they have familiarity with. Despite the lengthy gap in Trivino's MLB resume, it is clear Melvin is still willing to go with him in big spots.

Trivino is a great story because it is so rare for a reliever to successfully come back and make it to the major leagues after such a prolonged absence. But he seems to be throwing great and he has the trust of manager Bob Melvin which makes the whole situation a win-win for the Giants.