SF Giants recall former Phillies reliever, option Keaton Winn to Triple-A

The SF Giants recalled 27-year-old right-handed relief pitcher Mauricio Llovera from Triple-A on Thursday, optioning Keaton Winn.

The SF Giants made a trio of roster moves on Thursday, setting themselves up for the final series before the All-Star break. The Giants added right-handed pitcher Mauricio Llovera to the 40-man roster and recalled him from Triple-A Sacramento. In a pair of corresponding transactions, the Giants optioned right-handed pitcher Keaton Winn (Giants top-10 prospect) to Triple-A and designated outfielder Dalton Guthrie for assignment.

SF Giants reliever Mauricio Llovera throws a pitch. (2022) / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Llovera was actually a member of the Giants' bullpen last season, showing promise before suffering an elbow injury. In 17 MLB appearances last season, Llovera recorded 20 strikeouts and eight walks in 16.1 innings pitched with a 4.41 ERA (3.71 FIP). The Giants designated Llovera for assignment following the injury but retained him on a minor-league contract during the offseason. This season at Triple-A, Llovera has a 3.92 ERA in 17 appearances with 24 strikeouts and six walks in 20.2 innings pitched.

Llovera was originally signed as an international free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2015 and quickly moved through their organization as a starting pitcher. While Llovera was an effective starter in the upper minors, the Phillies moved him to the bullpen in 2020, and he made his MLB debut during the pandemic-shortened season. He remained effective at Triple-A the following year but posted a 9.45 ERA in six big-league appearances.

Given his struggles, the Phillies designated Llovera for assignment and outrighted him to the minor leagues. Following the season, Llovera became a free agent and inked a minor-league deal with the Giants. After an incredible start to the season where he allowed just one unearned run across 20 innings pitched at Triple-A (with 28 strikeouts and just four walks), Llovera was called up to the majors.

Winn is the odd man out in the short term, likely because the Giants only have three games left before the All-Star break, which will give them a chance to reset their rotation. Since Winn started Tuesday's 6-0 loss to the Mariners, he was likely unavailable until the final game of the first half. However, the Giants will likely take advantage of an off day on Thursday to have ace Logan Webb make that start.

Barring a surprise, Winn will be back in San Francisco soon. He has been arguably the organization's most consistent starting pitcher at Triple-A this season and has a 4.09 ERA across five big-league appearances with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 22 innings pitched.

The Giants recently acquired Guthrie in a trade with the Phillies for cash considerations. Guthrie had been designated for assignment by Philadelphia and will now once again be available on waivers. A versatile defensive player capable of handling nearly every position on both the infield and outfield, Guthrie could easily be claimed off waivers by another team. If not, though, the SF Giants will likely outright him to Triple-A and keep him in the organization.