SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–First-year president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi didn’t sign many major league free agents this winter, but the first one he acquired is no longer expected to open the year with the Giants.
Pat Venditte, a versatile switch-pitcher signed to provide bullpen depth, was among four players sent out of camp after Thursday’s loss to the Diamondbacks. Venditte and utility player Austin Slater were optioned following the game while right-handed reliever Derek Law and infielder Zach Green were reassigned to minor league camp.
The decision to option Venditte and Slater doesn’t come as a major surprise as both have struggled in Cactus League play and both can be sent back and forth from Triple-A Sacramento to San Francisco as needed throughout the year.