Giants Roster Cuts Provide Clarity for 2026 Season

This piece digs into how new San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello is shaping the club’s Opening Day roster. He’s making spring-cut decisions, sorting through non-roster invitees, and keeping a close eye on a few lingering roster battles.

With several early-season questions hanging over the team, the latest moves narrow the field. Now, we’re getting a clearer look at who might actually break camp with the big-league squad.

Opening Day picture taking shape in San Francisco

Vitello’s spring strategy has really focused on trimming the camp. He’s figuring out who stays in big-league camp and who heads for the minors. Recent cuts dropped the Giants down to 40 players in major-league camp, with five non-roster invitees hanging on. Among those sent down: outfielder Victor Bericoto, infielder Osleivis Basabe, and right-hander Gregory Santos. It’s a push to see who’s got real depth and ceiling before Opening Day. The club’s non-roster invites left are especially interesting at catcher and on the bench.

For the position players, Eric Haase and outfielder Jared Oliva are still in the NRI mix. Haase is making a run at the backup catcher job, but Daniel Susac has put together a strong spring. Susac’s Rule 5 status makes him the more likely option to stick in San Francisco. Out on the grass, Oliva’s been electric on the bases, swiping 13 bags in 14 tries. He could wind up as a defensive, speed-first bench guy. Still, the Giants don’t have a left-handed bat off the bench, which feels like a real gap.

Roster cuts and who remains in big-league camp

The Giants have to figure out how to balance the bench. Encarnacion looks like the early favorite for designated hitter. Both Jerar Encarnacion and Luis Matos are out of options, so that’s a wrinkle. The bench could end up all right-handed unless they bring in someone from outside—maybe Will Brennan or Drew Gilbert. Brennan’s had a strong spring and brings some defensive versatility and left-handed pop. Gilbert’s been dealing with a shoulder thing, but he’s back in games and in the mix for a spot.

• Haase vs Susac for backup catcher; Susac’s Rule 5 status helps his case
• Oliva as a speed-first pinch-runner and defensive sub
• Encarnacion and Matos battling for DH or a bench role; options situation matters
• Brennan and Gilbert as possible left-handed or versatile bench adds

Bullpen and pitching battles

On the pitching side, Lucchesi, Fulmer, and Kilian are still in the bullpen conversation. There’s talk of carrying three lefties, which could favor Kilian—he’s been touching 99 mph and brings some upside. Fulmer adds a veteran vibe. Santos is still in the bullpen picture too, thanks to his late-inning velocity. His command’s been shaky since coming back from bereavement leave, but the stuff is legit. The Giants could use some power arms, and Santos stays in the early-season mix, at least for now.

• Kilian’s big fastball and left-handed relief potential
• Fulmer’s experience and flexibility in the bullpen
• Santos’ wild command but serious power arm

Outfield depth and injury watch

The health front adds another layer to the Opening Day equation. Harrison Bader is listed as day-to-day with a tight left hamstring.

This tweak could push roster decisions toward outfield versatility. The club is counting on players like Jung Hoo Lee, Brennan, Gilbert, and Matos to fill out the outfield and bench if Bader isn’t 100 percent at the start of the season.

Lee’s ability to play multiple positions, Brennan’s left-handed bat, Gilbert’s power when he’s healthy, and Matos’ high-end ceiling all give the club some real flexibility for those first few weeks. There’s a lot to juggle, honestly.

The balance between a left-handed bench option, a capable backup catcher, and a bullpen that can punch out hitters without sacrificing depth could decide how quickly San Francisco turns spring work into early-season wins.

Fans might want to keep an eye on the final cuts and any in-season adjustments—those will shape the Giants’ 2026 push, for better or worse.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Giants notes: Latest round of cuts brings more roster clarity for 2026 season