Blake

Sabol

Sabol was brought up over the weekend, but the Giants have decided to change course and no longer will carry three catchers on their active roster.

Sabol will give the Giants a third backstop and also a bat off the bench while he’s with the team, as San Francisco is promoting the 26-year-old as one of their two new additions with rosters officially expanding.

Sabol was up briefly for San Francisco earlier this week as extra catching depth at the trade deadline and will head back to the minors prior to Friday’s series opener against the Reds.

Sabol rejoins San Francisco’s active roster as extra bench depth ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Athletics. The 26-year-old hasn’t appeared in the majors since being shipped back to Triple-A Sacramento back in late May.

Sabol heads out with Patrick Bailey returning from the concussion injured list just prior to Tuesday’s game against the Pirates.

Sabol takes the place of Patrick Bailey with Bailey placed on the concussion injured list. Sabol offers some defensive versatility, but doesn’t have the offensive upside to be a fantasy option.

Sabol was shipped out earlier this week in advance of Opening Day. The 26-year-old offers plenty of defensive versatility, but there simply isn’t space for him in San Francisco at the moment.

The Giants’ decision to sign Tom Murphy meant Sabol entered the spring with little chance of making the team, even though he was pretty solid as a Rule 5 pick last year. He’ll probably open the year splitting time between catcher and left field in Triple-A.

Sabol has been out the last few weeks due to a right adductor strain. The 26-year-old is being prepped for a super utility role this season with San Francisco, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be ready in time for Opening Day.

This move appears to be, in part, because former “catcher of the future” Joey Bart “looks great” in camp, according to manager Bob Melvin. Bart is out of options, so the Giants’ only options are to keep him on the big league roster or cut him. As a result, Sabol’s best chance of making the team appears to be if he can be a versatile defender. He has already played the outfield, but he could now serve as the back-up first baseman to Lamonte Wade Jr.