Wednesday, July 16

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tyler Rogers didn’t have much of a connection to Nolan Ryan growing up, but he inadvertently created one when he and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their second son on Jan. 8.

The couple christened their child Nolan, and keeping with family tradition, they also gave him Jennifer’s maiden name as his middle one. The end result? Nolan Ryan Rogers.

The reference to the Hall of Fame pitcher was more of a coincidence than anything, but the story got even better when Ryan -- tipped off by manager Bob Melvin -- called Rogers to personally offer his congratulations.

“It was cool because Nolan Ryan did call me and congratulate me on it and signed a ball for Nolan,” Rogers said Friday. “So I am now a huge Nolan Ryan fan.” 

While Rogers added a member to his family off the field, he also lost one within the Giants' clubhouse over the offseason, as his twin brother, Taylor, ended up being traded to the Reds in exchange for Minor League right-hander Braxton Roxby last month.

The siblings became teammates after Taylor joined the Giants on a three-year, $33 million deal in December 2022, and they spent two seasons pitching alongside each other in San Francisco’s bullpen.

“I guess I really haven’t processed it too much,” Rogers said. “Just thankful for the two years we got together. We did it right and enjoyed every second of it.”

While the Rogers twins are no longer on the same team, they’re still living together this spring and will once again share a field on Opening Day on March 27, when the Giants are scheduled to face the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

“What a coincidence, huh?” Rogers said. “And then they come to San Francisco, so six of our first 12 games are against the Reds. But then you start thinking, ‘Now I’ve got to go 5 1/2 months without seeing him.’ So that’s when it’ll probably really hit."

The Rogers twins will both be eligible for free agency at the end of the season, so they’re not ruling out another possible reunion in the future. Still, Tyler will be a first-time free agent at 34 after having to wait years to finally reach the Majors in 2019, so he knows he’ll have to prioritize the best situation for himself moving forward.

The veteran submariner figures to generate plenty of interest next winter, as he’s quietly emerged as one of the most dependable relievers in the National League over the past six years, logging a 2.93 ERA while averaging 68 appearances per season.

“It’s kind of the same thing as when my brother hit free agency,” Tyler said. “I told him, ‘This is your free agency. Act like I’m not even part of the equation. Make the right decision for you.’ He said the same thing to me. It’s hard to get free agency. It takes a long time. For me, it’ll be 13 seasons to get to free agency. He’s like, ‘Make your own decision for you and your family.’ If it works out, it works out.” 

• Yusmeiro Petit, who is serving as a guest instructor for the Giants this spring, worked closely with Camilo Doval on Friday, offering tips while the latter threw his bullpen session and worked on his pickoff move on the back fields at Scottsdale Stadium.

The Giants believe Petit’s guidance could be invaluable for Doval, who will be looking to bounce back from a career-worst season in 2024.

“That was one of the first things that I talked to Yusmeiro about,” Melvin said. “We’ve got a really talented guy here. Petit was great with all our bullpen guys. He was a coach for us in Oakland when he was playing, so I think he’s a great resource, especially for bullpen guys.”

• Among the early standouts in camp thus far has been right-hander Joel Peguero, a non-roster invitee who hit 101 mph in his bullpen session on Thursday.

“That’s always a little bit of an eye-opener,” Melvin said. “It was pretty impressive to see. It’s one thing to throw 100 in a game. It’s another thing to throw 100 in the bullpen.”

• Wilmer Flores, who reported to Giants camp on Thursday, said he’s still getting used to having one of his former teammates -- Buster Posey -- serve as the club's new president of baseball operations.

“It was weird,” Flores said. “He was just in the training room. I was talking to him like he was still a player and it was 2021. But it’s weird. He knows what he’s doing. I feel like him being a catcher and the way he played, he won so many times that he knows what it takes to win.”

• Now that he’s healthy, could Jung Hoo Lee move from the leadoff spot to the heart of the Giants’ order this year?

• Marco Luciano admitted that he felt “lost” at the plate last season, but he believes he’s found himself again and is eager to embrace his transition to the outfield.

• Justin Verlander is wearing a familiar number as he gets settled into unfamiliar territory with the Giants this spring. 

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