Tough beat for Howard.
The San Francisco Giants announced this morning that they’ve recalled RHP Landen Roupp and designated RHP Spencer Howard for assignment. It’s a bit of a shock for a team in desperate need for multiple innings, but it just goes to show that they’re set on getting those innings by any means necessary.
I would’ve bet some money on either Sean Hjelle or Randy Rodriguez getting the option after yesterday’s game, but the team is wary of losing a pitcher like them for the 10 days that he’d need to be sent down (barring injuries). With Kyle Harrison’s return on the horizon, it makes sense to clear a pending roster spot and filling it with an optionable guy temporarily, and Roupp would seem to be an adequate replacement.
Roupp has essentially been making Howardesque bulk starts for the River Cats, so it’s not like the team is losing a multi-inning guy, either. He’s struck out 16 in 3 starts (9.2 IP) while walking only 4 and allowed just 7 hits and 3 walks.
Still, let’s give it up for Spencer Howard, who is more than likely to be claimed. I had started writing an article about him and how he might just be the figurehead for this bullpen plan working for the rest of the season. There’s still a chance he clears waivers and the team outrights him — unless I’m reading his transaction log incorrectly — but we’ve seen him be a useful “bulk” guy and that’s going to have a lot of value for other teams in a similar situation as the Giants.