San Francisco Giants DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said that right-handed reliever Ryan Walker will serve as the team's closer after the club decided to option former closer Camilo Doval to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday. The Giants were ready to make a change at the back end of their bullpen after Doval blew his fifth save of the season on Thursday night against the Washington Nationals. Walker is deserving of the closer's gig this year after going 7-3 with a 2.24 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 71 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 60 1/3 innings pitched over a league-high 59 appearances (one start). Melvin mentioned Jordan Hicks, who was recently moved to the bullpen after beginning the year as a starter, as another possibility for saves, but Walker is going to get the first crack to replace Doval and should be added immediately by fantasy managers in need of saves.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray went six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Tigers, but did not factor into the decision. The outing was his first quality start since coming off the IL, although he's been effective in three of the four games he's pitched so far, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 22.6% K-BB%. The southpaw will face a reeling Braves team who has lost six straight in his next start on Thursday next week.

The San Francisco Giants optioned right-handed reliever Camilo Doval to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday. The move comes a day after Doval blew his fifth save of the season (he was credited with a win) when he allowed three runs on a hit (a game-tying home run) and two walks over an inning of work against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Doval was luckily bailed out with a win when the Giants scored four runs in the top of the 10th inning, but the Giants had seen enough. The 27-year-old closer has 22 saves on the year and led the league with 39 saves in 2023, but his 27.6% strikeout rate is a career-low, and he's coupled it with a career-worst 14.3% walk rate in 44 innings in 2024. It's a drastic measure by the Giants team that has plenty of other issues besides Doval at the back end of their bullpen. Moving forward, the Gigantes figure to play the matchups in save situations with Ryan Walker and Taylor Rogers.

San Francisco Giant closer Camilo Doval fell victim to his fifth blown save against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. After picking up the save on Wednesday in a scoreless inning, it would not be as easy Thursday. Doval allowed a pair of walks, while getting two groundouts before giving up a game-tying, three-run home run to Luis Garcia Jr. with two outs to send the game into extra innings. Doval was able to salvage some of his poor outing when the Giants won in extra innings, giving him the victory, but it was an overall rough appearance. Doval has been a rollercoaster of sorts this season, having the occasional blow up, but he should remain the Giants closer and is a strong option when everything is cooking for him on the hill. With Doval working in back-to-back games, the Giants could turn to Tyler Rogers, Taylor Rogers or Ryan Walker if a save is needed on Friday.

The San Francisco Giants have demoted outfielder Luis Matos from Triple-A Sacramento to Double-A Richmond. It is a curious move as Matos, 22, was once one of the teams' top prospects and has spent time in the big leagues the last two seasons. Although he struggled with the Giants this season in 40 games, he was hitting well for Sacramento. With Sacramento, Matos has hit .242 with eight homers, 37 RBI and six stolen bases in 227 at-bats. Despite his demotion, Matos is still very young and has the ability to reach his potential with some more seasoning on the farm. As a member of the 40-man roster, it would not be a surprise to see Matos get another opportunity with the big-league club this summer. As it stands, he can remain on the waiver wire.