San Francisco Giants DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (knee) was removed from Saturday's Spring Training game after being hit by a pitch. His departure from the contest was likely precautionary given that, after the game's conclusion, manager Bob Melvin said Ramos' injury wasn't serious and he should return to the lineup on Sunday. The 24-year-old is regarded as one of the Giants' better young players, but he's struggled to the tune of a .158/.220/.250 slash line, 31.7 K%, and 31 wRC+ through parts of two big-league seasons.

San Francisco Giants rookie shortstop Marco Luciano (hamstring) has been scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Chicago Cubs, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. His injury was described as a minor hamstring issue on Friday, and while it's enough to hold him out of a game, this is likely an example of the Giants exercising caution. There's no reason to push players beyond their limits this early in Spring Training, so Luciano will get the day off Saturday before the club re-evaluates his status. Casey Schmitt will draw the start at shortstop in Luciano's absence.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Marco Luciano (hamstring) is dealing with a minor hamstring issue, but if he comes out of Friday's workout fine, he will be in the Cactus League lineup on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. It's something to keep an eye on early in spring training, but it doesn't sound like anything too serious. The 22-year-old is projected to serve as San Francisco's starting shortstop in 2024, taking over for Brandon Crawford. The Dominican infielder made his big-league debut last year and played in only 14 games, going 9-for-39 (.231) with no home runs, no RBI and 17 strikeouts. Right now, Luciano's glove is ahead of his bat, and if he struggles mightily in his first full year in the majors, the Giants may be forced to send him to the bench or back to the minors.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (side) is dealing with some minor side soreness and will not be in the team's Cactus League game on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs as a precaution. Lee's injury isn't very serious, and he expects to be ready to play in spring games in a couple of days. However, this is something to watch for the 25-year-old as he transitions to the States in 2024. He should still be expected to be San Francisco's starting center fielder and leadoff man when Opening Day comes around late in March after the Giants signed him to a six-year, $113 million deal this winter. The Korean outfielder comes with very little power, but his elite contact skills should make him a batting-average asset atop the Giants' lineup.

San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey bulked up in the offseason to prepare for his second major-league season in 2024. Bailey struggled down the stretch in his rookie campaign in 2023 and finished with a .233/.285/.359 slash line, seven home runs, 18 doubles, a triple, 48 RBI and 29 runs scored in 353 plate appearances over 97 games played. The extra weight will hopefully help Bailey over the course of his second full season in the big leagues. The 24-year-old switch-hitting backstop hit .322 with five home runs in his first 33 games last year but really fell off after the All-Star break. His excellent defense is his calling card and will likely land him the starting job to start the 2024 season, but if he continues to slump at the plate, the Giants have other catching options they can turn to.