SF Giants activate veteran hurler, option reliever Austin Warren to Triple-A

The SF Giants welcomed back veteran hurler Jordan Hicks on Saturday after a bout with shoulder inflammation. In a corresponding roster move, Austin Warren was optioned back to Triple-A, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants activate veteran hurler, option reliever Austin Warren to Triple-A

Hicks' return was imminent after he completed a rehab appearance with the San Jose Giants earlier this week. He recorded two scoreless innings with San Jose and there was little need for another rehab appearance as he was returning to the bullpen.

It has been an interesting year for the 28-year-old pitcher. The Giants inked him to a four-year, $44 million pact in the offseason with the intent of using him in the rotation. He had pitched out of the rotation in the minors and briefly returned to that role with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022.

The early returns were promising as Hicks posted a 2.70 ERA in 12 starts through the first two months of the season. However, fatigue began to set in as he inched closer to his previous career-high in innings pitched with 77.2.

The Giants did not expect the six-year veteran to spend the entire season in the rotation, so he transitioned back to the bullpen after completing 20 starts. Overall, he has pitched to a 4.10 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 1.45 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, and a 2.04 SO/W rate in 109.2 frames with the Giants. This includes a rough return to the mound on Saturday where he allowed three earned runs in 1.1 innings in an 8-0 loss against the San Diego Padres.

There is a good chance that Hicks returns to the rotation next season. However, he can be seen as something of a wild card who can handle a couple of different roles on the pitching staff. That gives the Giants more flexibility. That said, if he does return to the rotation, the Giants hope that he can handle a bigger workload.

To make room on the roster, Austin Warren was sent back to the Sacramento River Cats. Warren had two minor league options before the year and that was one of the traits that appealed to San Francisco when he signed.

Warren has pitched briefly for the major league club this year, allowing just one earned run with four strikeouts and three walks in 6.2 innings.