San Francisco Giants DFA 9-Year Veteran Pitcher
Ryan Borucki was designated for assignment after giving up at least one run in three straight appearances, pushing his ERA to 4.94 across 23.2 relief innings.
Jonah Cox was promoted directly from Double-A Richmond, skipping Triple-A Sacramento entirely, after one of the most eye-catching minor league stretches of the 2026 season.
I know there are a lot of reasons to question the some of the front office’s moves this year, but signing a reliever like Ryan Borucki who has little value in the 3-batter minimum era is among the top. Just a waste of a roster spot for two months.
— Jeff Young (@BaseballJeff1) May 31, 2026
Borucki was cut by the White Sox near the end of spring training, caught on with San Francisco on a big league contract, and has functioned as a left-handed specialist whose extreme platoon splits make him nearly unusable under the three-batter minimum rule.
He holds lefties to a .550 OPS this season, which is very useful. Against right-handed batters, his opponents have an 1.085 OPS.
In the modern game, where the three-batter minimum prevents a manager from deploying him as a pure left-on-left matchup, that split profile has no sustainable roster spot.
Five earned runs over his last 5.1 innings made the decision easier.
The Cox Promotion Is the Real Story
Cox, 24, was acquired when the Giants traded Ross Stripling to the Athletics in February 2024 and has quietly become one of the more intriguing players in the San Francisco system.
Baseball America ranks him 21st among Giants prospects.
His 2026 numbers in Richmond speak for themselves: a .400 batting average, a 1.096 OPS, 11 doubles, five triples, six home runs, 27 stolen bases, and a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The #SFGiants made the following roster moves today:
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 31, 2026
• OF Jonah Cox (#53) selected to the Major League roster.
• RHP Tristan Beck (#43) recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.
• OF Will Brennan optioned to Triple-A Sacramento postgame yesterday.
• LHP Ryan Borucki designated for…
Cox adds something the Giants desperately need.
They are last in baseball in stolen bases, and Cox brings speed and athleticism that changes how opposing defenses have to position. He can also play all three outfield positions.
Photo Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
