Giants Designate David Villar for Assignment, Add Lou Trivino to Opening Day Roster
San Francisco, CA – In a flurry of roster moves, the san Francisco giants have designated infielder David Villar for assignment and selected the contract of right-handed reliever Lou Trivino, solidifying trivino’s spot on the Opening Day roster. The Giants announced the moves Tuesday.
David Villar’s Struggles Lead to Roster move
Villar, who was out of minor league options, faced an uphill battle to secure a consistent role with the team, especially after the Giants’ acquisition of Matt Chapman to play third base. Villar’s performance in limited major league opportunities has been inconsistent, and he lacked the versatility of teammates like Casey Schmitt and Brett Wisely, both of whom possess minor league options and can cover shortstop.
During Cactus League play this spring, Villar struggled, with a .200/.265/.444 slash line and a strikeout rate of 36.7%.Over the past two MLB seasons, Villar has a.170/.243/.346 batting line, striking out in nearly a third of his at-bats (32.8%). Despite his struggles at the major league level, Villar has shown promise in Triple-A, slashing .265/.365/.465 over the past two seasons, with a more palatable 26.1% strikeout rate and a 12.7% walk rate.
With Villar designated for assignment, the Giants will have five days to explore potential trade opportunities.Other MLB teams now have the opportunity to evaluate Villar and perhaps add him to their roster.
Lou Trivino Overcomes Injuries, Earns Roster Spot
Lou Trivino, 33, returns to the major leagues after battling significant injuries. The veteran right-hander hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since 2022, having undergone Tommy John surgery in early 2023, followed by elbow inflammation and a shoulder issue in 2024.
Trivino signed a minor league deal with the Giants that included a $1.5 million salary if he made the major league roster. He impressed during spring training, pitching 9 1/3 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and a ground ball rate of 55.6%. While he walked four batters, his overall performance demonstrated he was ready for a return to the big leagues. In his MLB career, Trivino has a 3.86 ERA over 284 2/3 innings, striking out 24.5% of batters faced.
How did Lou Trivino’s performance during spring training contribute to his securing a spot on the Opening Day roster?
Giants roster Moves: Q&A
David Villar: What’s Next?
Q: What does “designated for assignment” (DFA) mean for David Villar?
A: DFA essentially means the Giants have removed Villar from their 40-man roster. They have five days to trade him, release him, or outright him to the minor leagues. If he clears waivers, he can be assigned to the minors.
Q: Why was Villar designated for assignment?
A: His inconsistent performance in the majors, lack of positional versatility compared to other players, and the acquisition of Matt Chapman for third base all contributed to the decision. His high strikeout rate was also a major concern.
Q: What are Villar’s chances of being claimed by another team?
A: It’s uncertain. Other teams will evaluate his potential based on his minor league performance (.265/.365/.465 slash line in Triple-A) and see if they can unlock it. His struggles at the MLB level might make other teams hesitant.
Trivia: did you know that being designated for assignment is often a temporary setback? Many players DFA’d have gone on to triumphant careers with other teams.Stay tuned to see what happens with Villar!
Lou Trivino: A Comeback Story
Q: What injuries did Lou Trivino overcome?
A: He underwent Tommy john surgery in early 2023, followed by elbow inflammation and a shoulder issue in 2024.
Q: What did Trivino do to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster?
A: He signed a minor league deal and impressed during spring training.He pitched 9 1/3 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, a 55.6% ground ball rate, and demonstrated he was ready for a return to the big leagues
Q: What kind of pitcher is Lou Trivino?
A: He’s a right-handed reliever with a career 3.86 ERA. He has a solid strikeout rate (24.5% of batters faced).
Actionable Advice: Keep an eye on Trivino’s performance – his health and effectiveness will be key for the Giants’ bullpen.
Q: What was the financial incentive for Trivino?
A: Trivino’s minor league deal included a $1.5 million salary if he made the major league roster.
Trivia: Tommy John surgery is a meaningful hurdle for pitchers, but the success rate has improved dramatically.Trivino’s return shows his determination and the progress of the surgery!
The Giants’ roster moves highlight the competitive nature of baseball. Keep following the Giants to see how these moves shape their season!
