The Giants brought back pitchers Ethan Small and Kai-Wei Teng on minor league contracts last month (h/t to Baseball America’s Matt Eddy). San Francisco had dropped both players from the 40-man roster at the non-tender deadline.
Neither player had been eligible for arbitration. The non-tender deadline allowed the Giants to cut them both loose before circling back with minor league offers. They’ll keep both in the organization without carrying them on the 40-man roster.
Small, a former Milwaukee first-round pick, landed with the Giants in a DFA trade in February. The 27-year-old southpaw spent most of the season on the injured list. He didn’t pitch in the big leagues with San Francisco. Small was limited to 13 minor league innings over three levels. His major league résumé consists of four MLB appearances in Milwaukee between 2022-23. During his most recent healthy year in the minors, he turned in a 3.18 ERA through 51 Triple-A frames two seasons ago.
Teng, 26, made his first four MLB appearances this year. He allowed 12 runs over 11 innings. The Taiwanese righty had a terrible ’24 season in Triple-A as well. Teng allowed nearly a run per inning across 75 1/3 frames. The 6’4″ righty posted strong strikeout and ground-ball numbers in the low minors but has struggled with his command throughout his career.
Certainly one of the more ironic transactions of the week.
How is it ironic? They were already in the organization
Small, giants.
Yeah not funny
I’m sorry buddy I’ll do better next time! Have a great night!
We’ll be waiting, don’t let us down, now.
Tough crowd, with zero appreciation of irony.
That’s a pretty spicy Tiger!
You really need a comma between ‘spicy’ and ‘Tiger’ to deliver the necessary level of burn. I’m here to help!
Nevermind, my bad. I misread your comment, gravel.
So not Burnes?
Corbin is on the phone with Adames right now. Willy is already earning his pay.
Bridesmaid Blue Jays won’t get him.
Watch out world
I get keeping Small in the system, Teng not so much.
Wei they Teng-king. This guy was trash last year. I guess they expect the young arms to be with the big club so AAA needs innings filled
He had gaudy k/9 numbers in 23, also awful bb/9. Hard to hate keeping him around
man who cares
Are you saying this is too Small of a Teng to Kai(r) about? No Wei, man.
These signings are a Small Teng to the Giant’s bottom line, Ethan so, we can talk about them.
All the small things.