Vogt excited to go for backup catcher spot

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants played their first game of the spring against the Angels on Saturday, but Stephen Vogt isn’t expecting to see Cactus League action for at least a couple of weeks.

Vogt, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee after signing a Minor League deal with the Giants earlier this month, is coming off right shoulder surgery and will likely have to wait until mid-March to make his spring debut. The 34-year-old has been catching bullpen sessions and taking batting practice on the field, but he’s still working on getting his throwing back up to speed.

“I’m nine and a half months out of surgery, and we’re talking about games in a couple weeks,” Vogt said Saturday. “I’m really happy about that. My progression is going well. I feel good. It’s just a matter of getting the strength and the reps of throwing and being able to throw to bases.”

While he’s a bit behind others in camp, Vogt’s status won’t put him out of the running for the Giants’ backup catcher job, which figures to be one of the more competitive position battles to watch this spring. Incumbent Aramis Garcia has already impressed with his easy power in batting practice, and the Giants have another pair of veteran options in non-roster invitees Rene Rivera and Cameron Rupp.

Vogt missed the entire 2018 campaign after undergoing surgery in May, but his ability to play multiple positions appeals to the Giants as they look to increase their versatility under new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. In addition to catching, Vogt has also been taking ground balls at first base and shagging balls in the outfield this spring.

“They brought me in for a reason, and I’m working every day to try and win that job,” Vogt said. “We have a really good group of catchers here, and everybody is going to contribute at some point throughout the year. That’s how it always works. For me, I’m working every day to get healthy to win that job. However I can help this team win games is how I want to do it.”

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Earning a spot on the roster would be a dream come true for Vogt, who grew up in Visalia, Calif., as a Giants fan.

“It’s really cool,” Vogt said. “It’s a great opportunity. It’s fun. I think sometimes we lose sight that this is a game. Obviously, it’s a job, and it’s a really important one, but we lose sight of the fact that this is a game and how much fun this is. It’s been really neat just to come back to Spring Training and feel like a little kid, getting to put on my favorite uniform again. It’s been really special.”