The Giants signed Spencer Howard to a new minor league deal earlier this week, and the righty tossed a scoreless inning for Triple-A Sacramento last night in his return to the organization. Howard began the season with the Giants before being traded to the Guardians in early July, but he was designated for assignment and then outrighted by Cleveland before the end of the month, with Howard opting for free agency rather than the outright assignment.
The brief trip back to the open market has now led Howard back to Sacramento. Howard has a 5.75 ERA over 40 2/3 innings for the Triple-A affiliate this season, as well as a 6.21 ERA in 29 combined innings (24 with the Giants, five with the Guardians) at the big league level. Though a .398 BABIP has contributed to Howard’s struggles in the majors, his 18.8% strikeout rate and 9.7% walk rate are both below average, and he has allowed five homers in his 29 frames of work.
Home runs have been a consistent problem for Howard over his five MLB seasons, contributing to his rough 7.00 ERA in 144 career innings with the Guardians, Giants, Rangers, and Phillies. A highly-touted prospect during his time in Philadelphia’s farm system, Howard just recently turned 28 and is still trying to find a firm foothold in the majors.
The Giants have used the right-hander in a variety of roles (starter, reliever, opener, bulk pitcher) this season without much success, and Howard will again be on hand at Triple-A to provide some pitching depth. Howard is out of minor league options, if San Francisco did select his contract back to the active roster, the club would again have to pursue the DFA route in order to try and move Howard back to the minors.
oldgfan
One of those love hate relationships starting to develop with this guy. Hope he figures it out this time and can contribute. Might be a guy to watch next season.
spooky
This has to be a Triple A innings eater. There’s no way he should make it back to the big club unless chaos breaks out on this staff
JayRyder
Giants making moves just to make moves again. Can’t sit still huh Farhan. Tinker till it’s a .500 team perennially. Been time to fire this guy.
foppert2
Just a small point. It’s a minor league contract. No tinkering involved.
Jean Matrac
Zaidi signs a guy to a MiL deal, and the fire Farhan crowd are all up in arms. He DFA’s someone and the ignorati go ballistic. Are Mets’ fans crying for Stearns to be fired because he signed Vinny Nittoli to a minors contract? Are Dodgers’ fans calling for Friedman’s head because he signed Jon Duplantier to a MiL deal? I guess some believe Zaidi should be fired for doing exactly what every other team in MLB does.