The San Francisco Giants announced Friday that outfielder Harrison Bader is day-to-day with left hamstring tightness. Manager Tony Vitello expressed optimism that the Gold Glove-winning center fielder will be ready for Opening Night on Wednesday. Bader had recently returned from the World Baseball Classic alongside Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants had anticipated reuniting their starting outfield of Harrison Bader, Heliot Ramos, and Jung Hoo Lee after their return from the World Baseball Classic this week. However, Bader's injury will delay that alignment temporarily. In Friday's split-squad game against the Royals at Scottsdale Stadium, Luis Matos started in center field alongside Ramos and Lee. Matos, who is out of Minor League options, saw his chances for the Opening Day roster improve following the assignment of prospect Bryce Eldridge to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. Other candidates for backup outfield roles include Jerar Encarnacion, also out of options, as well as Will Brennan, Drew Gilbert, and Jared Oliva. Gilbert has dealt with a left shoulder impingement, while Oliva leads the Cactus League with 13 stolen bases in 18 games. The Giants face considerations for their roster against left-handed pitching, such as Max Fried from the Yankees on Wednesday. Separately, outfielder Victor Bericoto received the 2026 Barney Nugent Award for excelling in his first big league camp, after batting .474 with three home runs in 19 Cactus League games. Bericoto, along with right-hander Gregory Santos and infielder Osleivis Basabe, was reassigned to Minor League camp Friday. Vitello praised Bericoto's winter ball performance with Leones del Caracas and predicted big-league success for him. On Santos, Vitello highlighted his triple-digit fastball and slider, advising trust in his stuff. Regarding Bader, Vitello said: “He's doing good, and he's moving along. He's getting to where we're in a comfort zone.”
