Luis Matos of the San Francisco Giants hits the ball during the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex on March 10, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
The San Francisco Giants called up outfielder Luis Matos and right-handed pitcher Kai-We Teng prior to the Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres, the organization announced on March 29.
Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski was placed on the paternity list and right-handed pitcher Luke Jackson was placed on the 15-day injured list with a lower back strain due to the organization’s corresponding moves.
The #SFGiants made the following roster moves today:
• OF Luis Matos and RHP Kai-Wei Teng recalled from Triple-A Sacramento
• OF Mike Yastrzemski placed on the Paternity List
• RHP Luke Jackson placed on the 15-day Injured List with a lower back strain— SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 29, 2024
Teng, 25, was born in Taichung, Taiwan, and would make his Major League Baseball debut if he comes out of the bullpen or in the starting rotation, depending upon how manager Bob Melvin decides to utilize him.
Teng was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on March 11 and then was placed on the reserve list on March 24 prior to being called up to San Francisco. He is the No. 25-ranked prospect in the Giants chain, according to MLBpipeline.com, and has spent the last four seasons with the organization in the minor leagues.
The Giants traded right-handed pitcher Sam Dyson on July 31, 2019 to the Minnesota Twins to get Teng, with right fielder Jaylin Davis and right-handed pitcher Prelander Berroa going to Minnesota.
Teng did not pitch in spring training with the Giants. In 2023, Teng splitted his time between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento and posted 7-8 record in 29 appearances, making 28 starts and throwing 126.1 innings with a 4.42 ERA, allowing 104 hits, 62 earned runs, eight home runs, 68 walks, 164 strikeouts, and a 1.362 WHIP.
According to MLBpipeline.com, Teng’s fastball tops between 91-94 mph, his slider sits between 84-86 mph with two-plane depth, and his curveball runs at 80-83 mph.
Matos, 22, was born in Valera, Venezuela, and played last season with the Giants, making his MLB debut on June 14, 2023 on the road against the Cardinals.
During spring training, Matos batted .302 playing in 22 games with 58 plate appearances and smacked 16 hits, six doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, three walks, and eight strikeouts.
Before he was called up to San Francisco last season, Matos played in 63 with Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento, hitting .331 over 285 plate appearances with 84 hits, 14 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 15 stolen bases, 28 walks, 23 strikeouts, and a .945 OPS.
With the Giants, Matos batted .250 playing in 76 games to close out 2023 with 253 plate appearances and ripped 57 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 14 RBI, three stolen bases, 20 walks, 33 strikeouts, and a .661 OPS.
Matos was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on March 28 before being recalled on March 29.
Matos will likely serve a bench role behind Jung Hoo Lee, Austin Slater, and Tyler Fitzgerald while Yastrzemski is on the paternity list.
The Giants (1-1) will play their third game of their four-game road series against the Padres (2-2) on March 30 at 7:15 p.m. EST.