The Giants reassigned Szapucki (pectoral) to minor-league camp Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Though Szapucki received an invitation to big-league spring training after re-signing with the Giants on a minor-league deal in November, he didn't appear in any Cactus League games while he continues to recover from the thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent last May. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Szapucki had his first rib removed as part of the procedure, along with his pectoralis minor and one of his scalene muscles. He's been able to throw off a mound during camp and is expected to be ready to make his season debut in April or May, likely with Triple-A Sacramento.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Returns to Giants on minors pact
Rotowire
Szapucki (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Nov. 18.
Szapucki was non-tendered by San Francisco on Nov. 17 before being brought back into the fold one day later. The 27-year-old left-hander hasn't pitched at any level since 2022 because of a shoulder injury that ultimately required thoracic outlet surgery this past May. It's hard to say what his health status will be at the beginning of the 2024 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Thomas Szapucki: Hits open market
Rotowire
Szapucki (side) was non-tendered by the Giants on Friday.
He had surgery to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome in May, so Szapucki may not be healthy for the start of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old lefty converted to relief pitching after joining the Giants from the Mets in 2022. He has an 8.68 ERA in 18.2 MLB innings.
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Undergoing surgery Friday
Rotowire
Szapucki is undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Szapucki has been on the 60-day injured list since the start of the season due to what was originally diagnosed as shoulder trouble, and the surgery will all but assuredly put an end to the season. The left-hander will have a chance to compete for a roster spot in 2024 if he's healthy, but the track record of pitchers recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome is spotty at best.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Beginning year on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Giants placed Szapucki (arm) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Szapucki's move to the 60-day IL opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Roberto Perez and ensures the 26-year-old lefty will miss at least the first two months of the season. The Giants shut Szapucki down earlier this month after he experienced soreness in in his left arm, and he's since received multiple medical opinions on the injury, including a consultation with a doctor who specializes in thoracic outlet syndrome. The team has yet to provide an estimated timeline for Szapucki to resume pitching while he contends with an injury the Giants are currently terming as "left arm neuropathy."
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: To see thoracic outlet specialist
Rotowire
Szapucki (arm) said Thursday he is planning to see a thoracic outlet specialist next week, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
That's ominous news given the way thoracic outlet syndrome has altered many promising pitching careers. Szapucki has been experiencing nerve issues in his upper left arm for the last couple of weeks in Giants camp. The initial diagnosis was neuropathy, but it might prove to be a more severe issue.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Getting second opinion
Rotowire
The Giants announced Monday that Szapucki is seeking a second opinion for his left upper arm injury, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
The initial diagnosis was that Szapucki is dealing with neuropathy, which left his fingers numb during his lone Cactus League appearance back in late February. He remains shut down from throwing as the Giants attempt to get a clearer handle on the situation.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Dealing with neuropathy
Rotowire
Szapucki is likely to begin the season on the injured list due to neuropathy in his pitching arm, Evan Webeck of the Mercury News reports.
Szapucki couldn't feel the fingers on his left hand during his lone Cactus League appearance back on Feb. 26. He hasn't thrown a ball since and the Giants are still trying to determine the root cause of the issue. It sounds like he'll remain shut down until the team has better idea of how to proceed, so he could be sidelined for a while.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Undergoing tests on right elbow
Rotowire
Szapucki is undergoing tests Thursday after experiencing soreness in his right elbow, Evan Webeck of the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Szapucki has appeared in only one Cactus League game this spring, and that was back on February 26. There should be more clarity on the issue by early next week.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Headed to injured list
Rotowire
Szapucki was placed on the 15-day injured list with a hip strain Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Szapucki dealt with hip tightness in late September but returned to the mound late last week. However, he's apparently been diagnosed with a strain that will force him to miss the final series of the regular season. The southpaw made 11 appearances (one start) between the Mets and Giants this year and posted a 7.20 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in 15 innings.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Moves past hip injury
Rotowire
Szapucki (hip) struck out two in a perfect inning Friday versus the Diamondbacks.
Szapucki hadn't pitched since Sept. 24 after exiting his last appearance with hip tightness. Friday marked his first clean outing this year, though his season-long numbers remain skewed by his lone appearance with the Mets in May in which he allowed nine runs in 1.1 innings versus the Giants. He has given up three runs in 11.2 innings across nine outings over two stints in the big leagues with the Giants since he was included in the Darin Ruf trade at the deadline.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Leaves with hip tightness
Rotowire
Szapucki was removed from Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks with right hip tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Szapucki tossed a couple scoreless innings behind starting pitcher Alex Cobb, needing just 20 pitches to record six outs. It seems he would have continued on if not for the hip injury. If this turns out to be more than a day-to-day issue, Szapucki will finish the campaign with a 9.00 ERA and 16:5 K:BB in nine big-league appearances (one start) between the Mets and Giants.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Recalled to big leagues
Rotowire
Szapucki was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.
After recording a 1.08 ERA in Sacramento, Szapucki will make his return to the majors. The 26-year-old lefty has pitched four innings out of the bullpen for the Giants this year, recording a 2.25 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in that time. Fellow releiver Zack Littell was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
Szapucki was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.
Szapucki was called up by the Giants in mid-August, and he posted a 2.25 ERA and 1.50 WHIP while striking out seven in four innings over three relief appearances during this stint with the major-league club. However, he'll cede his spot in the bullpen to Scott Alexander, whose contract was selected Friday.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Recalled by Giants
Rotowire
Szapucki was recalled by the Giants on Friday.
Szapucki's lone big-league appearance of the season came against the Giants back in late May, prior to his deadline-day move from the Mets. His current employers knocked him around for nine runs in just 1.1 innings in that appearance, but he's been far better at the Triple-A level, posting a 3.38 ERA. Yunior Marte was optioned to clear space in the bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Thomas Szapucki: Dealt to San Francisco
Rotowire
Szapucki was traded from the Mets to the Giants on Tuesday along with J.D. Davis, Nick Zwack and Carson Seymour in exchange for Darin Ruf, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
A lefty who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, Szapucki's 65.1 total innings this season are his highest mark in a pro season to date, so it's safe to say he does not have the durability to be a starter. At 26 years old and with a 3.38 ERA and 87 strikeouts at Triple-A, he could be ready to help the Giants' bullpen in short order.
Szapucki was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Szapucki made his first major-league start Wednesday against the Giants and gave up nine runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two in 1.1 innings. It's not very surprising to see him sent down following his rough outing, but he'll likely be in the mix to serve as a spot starter later in the year since he has a 2.86 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 22 innings for Syracuse.
