SF Giants hope to get recent trade acquisition into a game before the end of the year

The SF Giants wanted to get an evaluation on Marcelo Mayer following the trade. That evaluation may only be a couple of games, as Zack Minasian told Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News that they anticipate him getting into a game before the end of the year.

Mayer came to the Giants in a deal that sent Erik Miller and Carlos Gutierrez to the Boston Red Sox. Miller has been fantastic with Boston, posting a 3.24 ERA in 17 appearances.

The Giants will focus on upgrading the bullpen in the offseason. Whether that entails a full rebuild or not remains to be seen, but they will need a lot of help from the left side following Miller’s departure.

The Giants hope that Mayer can fill a role, but he will need to return to the field before that can happen. He was recovering from a forearm injury at the time of the deal and had begun a rehab assignment before he was sidelined with a bone bruise in his right foot.

SF Giants trade acquisition takes next step in recovery from foot injury

Evidently, the Mayer’s foot has healed, as the Giants had him run the bases before Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That said, the latest injury is another one in a growing list of ailments. Durability questions are one of the reasons why the Red Sox were so quick to deal Mayer, despite him being viewed as one of the top prospects in baseball as recently as 2025.

Due in part to injuries, Mayer never panned out for Boston after being selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California. As a top pick and top prospect, he was pushed aggressively up the minor league ladder, frequently facing off against older competition.

In parts of two seasons, Mayer posted a .625 OPS in 364 plate appearances with Boston. He does not turn 24 until the offseason, so he is still on the younger side. One source close to the Red Sox felt that they gave up on him too soon.

Where Mayer plays in the field is another story. He has experience all around the diamond, but second base may offer the clearest path to playing time. The Giants have Matt Chapman and Willy Adames under long-term deals at third base and shortstop, respectively, but a move to a different position should be on the table for at least one of those players.

The Giants hoped to get a healthy evaluation on Mayer. Unfortunately, due to a setback, that evaluation may only span a couple of games in 2026.

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