SF Giants release former Phillies, Tigers prospect after brief stint with the organization

The SF Giants announced a trio of promotions this week with two of those players heading to Sacramento. With that comes additional roster moves and to create space on the Triple-A roster, minor league catcher Donny Sands was released according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants release former Phillies, Tigers prospect after brief stint with the organization

This move closes Sands' brief stint with the organization. The Giants signed him to a minor league deal at the end of May. At the time, there was some level of uncertaintly in terms of catcher depth in the upper minors.

Tom Murphy had been transferred to the 60-day injured list and Patrick Bailey had spent time on the concussion list. The Giants brought in Curt Casali on a major league deal and added Jakson Reetz to the 40-man roster.

However, Reetz was a temporary stopgap at catcher and was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and returned to Sacramento. Reetz continues to share catching duties with Balke Sabol Brandon Martorano with the latter being moved down to Double-A on Tuesday. This left Sands without much of a role, and unfortunately, a necessary move to make to bring Hayden Birdsong and Grant McCray onto the roster.

The 29-year-old backstop was originally an eighth-round pick by the New York Yankees in the 2015 draft. He made his way to the Phillies and Tigers through a pair of trades.

In nine minor league seasons, Sands has registered a .263/.336/.379 line with a 9.4 percent walk rate, 17.2 percent strikeout rate, and a .116 ISO. He did tally three hitless at-bats with the Phillies in 2022 as well.

The right-handed bat was outrighted off of the Tigers 40-man roster before the season and was released by the organization at the end of spring training. He caught on with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League where he posted an .829 OPS with four home runs in 56 plate appearances.

The Toros released him to pursue an opportunity with the River Cats. During his brief tenure with Sacramento, he collected nine hits in 51 at-bats while seeing time at catcher, first base, and DH. Sands is now a free agent.