PEORIA, Ariz. — Landen Roupp isn’t making things easy for the San Francisco Giants. Not in the slightest.
Roupp was sharp in his second Cactus League outing as the Giants beat the Seattle Mariners, 6-4, at Peoria Sports Complex, tossing three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and debuting a new pitch in the process. The competition for the fifth spot in the rotation may be headlined by Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison, both of whom will pitch on Friday, but Roupp is ensuring he remains in the battle.
“It’s a different level than he was last year,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It was a lot of breaking balls for strikes, struggled with the command of his fastball. Had some walks, behind in counts. Now, he’s throwing all his pitches for strikes. It starts with the command of his fastball, which has good movement on it and good velocity.”
Roupp, as he is wont to do, predominantly relied on his sinker and curveball while sprinkling in some changeups, but the right-hander also threw four cutters, a pitch he recently added to his repertoire with the help of pitching coach J.P. Martinez and bullpen coach Garvin Alston. In the second inning, Roupp struck out Seattle’s Cade Marlowe with an elevated cutter.
“I’ve been talking to J.P. about it a lot and it’s been feeling really good in the ‘pen and I’m able to locate it,” said Roupp, who threw one cutter in his spring debut against the Texas Rangers. “I have confidence in it already. That helped me even more today. I’m going to keep throwing it and keep locating and see what it does.”
Depending on how the fifth spot shakes out, the Giants could find themselves in a predicament. If Roupp doesn’t win the fifth spot, would they start him with Triple-A Sacramento as a starter? Or carry him in San Francisco as a reliever?
Roupp spent time in both roles last season after unexpectedly making the Opening Day roster, making 19 relief appearances and four starts, but Melvin said at the beginning of spring training the Giants would build Roupp up as a starter. Roupp’s goal, above all else, is to make the majors, but given a choice, his preference of role is clear.
“Obviously, I have the goal of making the rotation,” Roupp said. “That’s where I want to be. So, I’m going to keep pushing for that. If I’m in the bullpen, I’ll throw there, but my main goal right now is to be a starter.”
Lee robbed of highlight play
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Mariners’ Ryan Bliss hit a fly ball to center field against Spencer Bivens. Jung Hoo Lee appeared to make a sliding catch, landing on the shoulder he injured last season, but the umpires let the game play on.
The umpires congregated and deemed Lee did not make the catch despite video revealing otherwise. Bliss ended up with an RBI triple and Bivens was dinged for an earned run. Melvin said he was a little nervous when Lee slid, but asserted that his center fielder made the catch.
“Three umpires get together and say they saw it on the ground and they all got it wrong — except for the guy that called it,” Melvin said. “It’s such a great play. It’s just what he does. He knows how to play one way. Your instincts tell you you’re going to dive for it. So, there’s not much you can do about instincts.”
Trivino impresses in spring debut
Right-hander Lou Trivino, a non-roster invitee, pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in his first Cactus League outing, making a strong first impression as he attempts to make the Opening Day roster.
Trivino, 33, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. The right-hander, who pitched under Melvin with the A’s, made 11 appearances in the minors last season.
“Sometimes, you take (the game) for granted,” Trivino said. “You think you’re never going to be done playing baseball, and when you’re done, you’re going to be 80. Obviously, I’m exaggerating. But you think it’s going to be a long time and you’ll always play baseball. Then, an injury like that happens and it’s setback after setback. I’m just thankful to be here.”
Lamb leaves with injury
Jake Lamb, a non-roster invitee, left Thursday’s game in the middle of the bottom of the seventh because of left quad tightness, according to Melvin. The team will know more on Friday, according to Melvin.
Lamb, 34, hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2023. Over 10 major-league seasons, Lamb has played for seven major-league teams and is a career .235 hitter with 96 homers.
