Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The other side of the Scott Kazmir transaction contained far less fairy tale.
While the Giants called up the 37-year-old, who hasn’t pitched in the majors in nearly five years, to start Saturday’s game against the Dodgers at Oracle Park, they cleared 40-man roster space by designating Braden Bishop — Hunter’s brother — for assignment. (And they optioned lefty Sam Selman to Triple-A Sacramento for 26-man roster room.)
San Francisco had claimed Braden Bishop on Monday, a move both urged and celebrated by Hunter, who had wished it into existence on Twitter. The Mariners had DFA’d the 27-year-old outfielder from St. Francis in Mountain View after he showed off a great glove but hadn’t proven he could hit in parts of three seasons with the Mariners.
The Giants adding Braden was a curiosity — their 40-man roster already contained (when healthy) eight outfielders — but there is a spot in the Sacramento outfield Braden could occupy. The Giants also would like him there, but that is only now possible if he clears waivers.
The Giants do this often with their last roster spots, using the 39th and 40th slots for players who intrigue them but might not help immediately, so they claim and cross their fingers that another team won’t do the same after a DFA. It is a practice that is mostly greeted by shrugs when they add and then waive, say, Ashton Goudeau, but is harsher when it involves a figure whose story is known.
Hunter (the Giants’ 2019 first-round pick) and Braden lost their mother, Suzy, in 2019 after a years-long battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Braden created the 4Mom charity that aims to unite the sports world and everyone, really, into funding for a cure to the disease. Hunter, with High-A Eugene, carries a cherry-red bat each time he steps to the plate that reminds him of Suzy.
Already in May, Braden has been DFA’d by Seattle, became a father for the first time, was picked up by the Giants and now DFA’d by the Giants. He undoubtedly would like to step off the emotional roller-coaster, and the Giants are hoping that roller-coaster will end with him on their Triple-A roster.
Hunter showed his disappointment in GIF form.
— Hunter Bishop (@_HunterBishop_) May 22, 2021
Aaron Sanchez, who saw Dr. Neal El Attrache on Monday for right bicep tightness, threw on the field prior to the game for what is believed to be the first time since the doctor visit that Gabe Kapler termed as “promising.” The righty starter was dealing (successfully) with diminished velocity before hitting the 10-day injured list May 8.
Wilmer Flores (right hamstring strain) took ground balls on the field before the game. The infielder is eligible to be activated off the injured list May 29.