San Francisco Giants DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

San Francisco Giants right-hander Landen Roupp will start the team's Cactus League opener on Saturday against the Texas Rangers and will likely throw two innings. Roupp will kick things off for the Giants this weekend after making his major-league debut in 2024 and going 1-2 with a 3.58 ERA (3.42 FIP), a 1.37 WHIP and 47:26 K:BB in 50 1/3 innings over his first 23 appearances (four starts). The former 12th-rounder in 2021 out of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington struggled in relief early on last year after surprisingly making the Opening Day roster, but he looked much better later in the year in a closing role, albeit in a small sample size. The 26-year-old relies on a sinker-curveball mix to generate ground balls. It's unlikely that he'll make the club's Opening Day starting rotation, but Roupp could be an interesting and cheap deep-league DFS streamer if he gets starts again at some point.

San Francisco Giants middle infielder Tyler Fitzgerald (back) is set to resume baseball activities at spring training on Thursday. Fitzgerald has been dealing with a lower-back injury early in spring training, but it's not considered very serious. The 27-year-old might be delayed in playing in Cactus League games initially, but he should be ready well in advance of Opening Day in late March. After the Giants signed Willy Adames in the offseason, Fitzgerald is expected to slide over to the keystone to serve as the team's regular second baseman to open the 2025 season. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 26 fantasy shortstop, but he'll eventually gain eligibility at second and should be more attractive there after slashing .280/.334/.497 with 15 home runs, 34 RBI, and 17 steals in 96 games a year ago. Fitzgerald's high strikeout rates give him quite a bit of volatility going into his first full MLB campaign.

San Francisco Giants middle infielder Tyler Fitzgerald (back) is dealing with a lower-back issue in camp, but it's not considered a major issue. The Giants will likely keep him out a couple more days as a precaution. It's something to watch as Fitzgerald heads into his first full big-league season in 2024, but barring any setbacks, the 27-year-old should be ready for Opening Day in late March. He was the Giants' everyday shortstop late last season but will move to the keystone this year after the Giants signed Willy Adames to play shortstop in the offseason. Fitzgerald had a breakout year in 2024 with a .280/.334/.497 slash line, 15 home runs and 17 stolen bases in only 96 games. It was an impressive showing and he has clear 20-20 potential as a second baseman in San Fran, but his elevated strikeout rates, dating back to the minors, is concerning for his fantasy profile.

San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy (oblique) has a mild oblique strain at spring training, according to manager Bob Melvin. The hope is that Murphy can get into a game in seven to 10 days. Murphy underwent an MRI exam recently after the Giants initially reported the 33-year-old veteran backstop was dealing with back spasms over the weekend. It's a setback for Murphy, who played in just 12 games in 2024 with the Giants due to a sprained MCL in his left knee, but he still has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day in late March. When Murphy is healthy, he'll be the No. 2 catcher in San Fran and split playing time with Patrick Bailey. As long as Bailey remains healthy in 2025, Murphy should be considered a catching option only in two-catcher leagues for his power with the lumber. Murphy has a career .239 batting average and has never hit more than 18 home runs in his nine MLB seasons.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Giants catcher Tom Murphy (back) is dealing with back spasms and is set to undergo an MRI. Slusser noted the injury is not expected to be serious, but it is concerning as Murphy was only able to play in 13 games last season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he could be in danger of losing the No. 2 role if he continues to miss time. Across his small stint last season, the 33-year-old held a .118/.221/.235 line with one home run. However, during the 2023 campaign, Murphy was quite effective at the plate as he held a .290/.335/.538 line with eight home runs across 47 games. If Murphy were to continue to miss time, Sam Huff could earn the backup job behind Patrick Bailey.