The San Francisco Giants optioned shortstop Marco Luciano and catcher Blake Sabol to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. Many folks expected Luciano to open the year as San Fran's starting shortstop, but instead he'll open the year in the minors after missing some time with an injury in spring training. Veteran Nick Ahmed will open the 2024 season as the Giants' starter at the 6. The 22-year-old Luciano should still be considered the team's best long-term option at shortstop, but it remains to be seen when they'll deem him ready to return to the majors. Sabol, 26, is currently the Giants' No. 3 catcher behind Patrick Bailey and Joey Bart, so he'll bide his time on the farm until the team needs another catcher at the big-league level.

San Francisco Giants catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol (groin) will return to Cactus League action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels and will play left field off the bench. Sabol hasn't played in a spring training game since March 5 due to a right-adductor strain, but he's back in action now as he tries to make the club's Opening Day roster. Given how much time he's missed this spring, it's likely that the 26-year-old backstop will open the 2024 season at Triple-A Sacramento. Sabol has the versatility to both catch and play the outfield, but his bat hasn't shown enough to give him much chance to crack the Giants' lineup regularly with Patrick Bailey and Joey Bart also at catcher. In his rookie season in 2023, Sabol hit .235/.301/.394 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 110 appearances.