Giants add Summer Camp standout Tromp
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants shuffled their catching rotation ahead of Tuesday night’s home opener against the Padres, adding rookie Chadwick Tromp to their 30-man roster and designating Rob Brantly for assignment.
Tromp, 25, was a late addition to the Giants’ player pool during Summer Camp, but he quickly emerged as an offensive standout after crushing three home runs during intrasquad action at Oracle Park. The right-handed hitter was making a serious push for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he was ultimately held back from the trip to Los Angeles after experiencing tightness in his hamstring during an exhibition game against the A’s last week.
“Tromp had a really nice modified camp,” manager Gabe Kapler said Tuesday. “We saw it from many different angles. He's driving the baseball, but also became a favorite of our pitching staff. They like throwing to him. He's done a nice job of leading that group when he's been in the bullpen and behind the plate in that modified camp. Then he did it behind the plate with his framing, his blocking and his throwing as well.
“He demonstrated that he's capable of helping us at this level. There's a lot yet to be seen. We haven't seen Tromp perform at the Major League level yet. This is a great opportunity for us. It's a great opportunity for him, and he has certainly earned it. We’re super excited for him. It's a big day for him.”
A former Reds prospect, Tromp underwent shoulder surgery in 2018 before returning to hit .286 with a .999 OPS and seven homers over 26 games with Triple-A Louisville last season. He became a six-year Minor League free agent this offseason and signed with the Giants in January. Tromp joins the Red Sox’s Xander Bogaerts as the only current Major League players from Aruba.
Brantly, 31, started only one game behind the plate for the Giants, going hitless in three at-bats against the Dodgers on Friday. He became expendable after the club signed veteran Chris Herrmann, another left-handed bat, to a Minor League deal last week. Herrmann reported to the club’s alternate training site in Sacramento on Tuesday, joining top prospect Joey Bart, who the Giants have said needs more development before he’s ready to be promoted to the Majors.
“Things are going well for Joey right now,” Kapler said. ”He's doing just fine.”
Tyler Heineman, who batted fifth against the Padres on Tuesday, has started four of the first five games of the season for the Giants. The switch-hitting backstop reached base safely in six of his first 11 plate appearances of the year, going 4-for-9 with two walks against the Dodgers.
Tromp could help give the Giants more right-handed power against lefties, though Kapler said he will make his first start against either Chris Paddack on Wednesday or Dinelson Lamet on Thursday, both of whom are righties.
Constant vigilance
Kapler said he hoped to address the team at some point on Tuesday to underscore the importance of following the health and safety protocols after the Marlins’ games through Sunday were postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
“I think we've done a really nice job of following health and safety protocols, but there's no question that this adds kind of an additional layer of sensitivity and gives us an opportunity to keep talking about it,” Kapler said.
Injury updates
• First baseman Brandon Belt (right Achilles tendinitis) and third baseman Evan Longoria (right oblique strain) continue to progress well and remain on track to be activated off the 10-day injured list toward the end of the week.
• Outfielder Austin Slater (right hip contusion) is feeling better and could be available to come off the bench as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement against the Padres on Tuesday.
• Infielder Yolmer Sánchez (back spasms) has resumed baseball activities in the past few days.
• Right-hander Trevor Cahill (right index fingernail injury) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.