The Giants have re-signed right-hander Justin Garza to a new minor league contract, according to Baseball America’s Matt Eddy. Garza returns for a second season in the organization, after posting a 3.42 ERA, 26.7% strikeout rate, and eight percent walk rate over 52 2/3 bullpen innings for Triple-A Sacramento in 2024.
Initially signed to a minors deal last March, Garza’s first year as a Giant didn’t see him receive any time on the active roster, so his MLB experience remains the 47 innings he posted with Cleveland in 2021 (28 2/3 IP) and Boston in 2023 (18 1/3 IP). The righty has a 5.74 ERA to show for his time in the big leagues, as well as a 21K% and 13.7% walk rate.
Garza has always had his share of control problems, though this year’s Triple-A walk represents more of a step in the right direction. After beginning his career as a starter, a move to bullpen work in 2021 bumped up Garza’s strikeout rates, thus earning him that initial look in the bigs. His minor league numbers declined in 2022 and the Guardians parted ways after the season, and Garza signed on with the Angels on a minors contract that offseason before being claimed by the Red Sox in April 2023.
His solid numbers in Sacramento last year impressed the Giants enough for a fresh contract, so Garza will enjoy a bit of stability as he enters his age-31 season. Garza still has two minor league options remaining, giving San Francisco some flexibility in shuffling him up and down between the MLB and Triple-A levels if they do ever select his contract for another look in the Show.
