Three SF Giants relievers who could pitch their way into the 2026 bullpen

The final two months of the season will be an open audition for quite a few roles for 2026. This is especially true for the bullpen, where few spots are etched in stone.

Three SF Giants relievers who could pitch their way into the 2026 bullpen

The bullpen will have a much different look down the stretch. Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval were among the players traded at the deadline. Randy Rodríguez replaced Doval as the team's closer.

Rodríguez and Erik Miller might be the only two relievers to be penciled into the 2026 bullpen if that was sketched out today. Of course, Rodríguez has about as dynamic an arm as any reliever in baseball, and while Miller's peripheral numbers were not that strong, he held left-handed hitters to a .578 OPS this season. That was his role and he was competent in that.

Spencer Bivens and Ryan Walker might be on the outside looking in. Both could solidify their roles for next season with a strong finish.

1. Joey Lucchesi

Joey Lucchesi might be the latest example of why it is a good idea to hand out as many minor league deals as possible to potential bullpen options. They might just pay off, and at a bargain value.

The Giants added Lucchesi to the roster on the same day that Rafael Devera was acquired. It was a wild day, and he literally snuck into the bullpen that day. Since then, he has pitched to a 2.41 ERA with 18 strikeouts against three walks in 18.2 frames with San Francisco.

The southpaw pitcher has quickly emerged as one of Bob Melvin's more trusted bullpen arms since the deadline. Is he going to be good a year from now? That is hard to say, but he has thrown well enough to position himself for that conversation.

2. José Buttó

José Buttó was the third piece from the Tyler Rogers trade. He has put up solid numbers throughout his career, with a 3.40 ERA across four seasons with the New York Mets and Giants.

The 27-year-old pitcher throws a mid-90's fastball with a mid-80's slider that has some downward tilting movement. The slider has generated a 40.5 percent whiff rate this season.

That said, the overall strikeout rate has never been high, and the walk rate sits at a 4.6 BB/9 rate. That likely limits him to being a middle reliever. Those are important innings that need to be filled, so it is a role that still has value.

Buttó is still pre-arbitration, so his cost is minimal. If he throws well enough, then tendering him a contract for 2026 is an easy decision. It still might be if he struggles.

3. Matt Gage

Matt Gage may finally get an extended look in the majors. He has completed 13 scoreless innings split between the Detroit Tigers and the Giants this season. He has never thrown more innings than that in a major league season, but has earned a pretty nice look with San Francisco.

The Giants could certainly use another left-handed reliever to go with Erik Miller. Gage fits that description, as he has held left-handed hitters to a .467 OPS in his brief career. Joey Lucchesi could fit that description as well. Gage has looked good in a very brief showing with the Giants this season. Similar to Buttó, Gage is still pre-arbitration, so the value could easily exceed the