Versatile infielder makes SF Giants Opening Day club as team finalizes roster

Christian Koss impressed the SF Giants coaching staff this spring both at the plate and with the glove. Despite steep odds of making the club, he was officially added as the team announced its Opening Day roster on Wednesday.

Versatile infielder makes SF Giants Opening Day club as team finalizes roster

Koss entered camp as a non-roster invitee, so the Giants did need to make a corresponding roster move. Tom Murphy, who has received two epidural injections this spring, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Murphy entered camp tabbed as the team's backup catcher, but his spring training never got off the ground. He experienced a back injury early on and never made it into game action this spring. The move will put the veteran backstop on the shelf for the first two months of the year. His 60-day clock begins on Opening Day.

Koss tallied 13 hits, including four doubles and a home run, with four RBI in 46 plate appearances this spring. Cactus League playing time is usually a signal for players the team wants to get an extended look at in camp, and the right-handed bat saw more playing time than most this spring.

The bench will be rounded out by Sam Huff, Casey Schmitt, and Luis Matos. Huff competed with Max Stassi at backup catcher but he had the edge given that he was already on the 40-man roster. It helps that he performed well at the plate, recording 10 hits in 31 at-bats. He will strike out often, walk at a healthy rate, and make plenty of loud contact.

Schmitt's best chance for playing time will be at second base. The same is true for Koss as well. On the other hand, Matos will likely platoon with Mike Yastrzemski in right field. Matos and Schmitt need to see regular playing time, so the hope is that they are not buried on the bench for extended stints. Bob Melvin did not consistently leverage all the options on the bench last season.

Perhaps, the other notable surprises include Landen Roupp winning the final rotation spot and Lou Trivino being added to the roster. Trivino had an opt-out clause over the weekend that he did not exercise, likely knowing at the time that he was making the team.