Giants Finalize 2009 Opening Day Roster

The San Francisco Giants made their final roster moves, with some surprises, heading in to Tuesday’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In trimming back to the final 25, the team decided to go with a 12 man pitching staff, designating Luis Perdomo for assignment while purchasing the contract of Brandon Medders from AAA Fresno. As Perdomo is a Rule 5 pickup, they will have to offer him back to the St. Louis Cardinals since he’s not remaining on the 25 man roster. More on that as it develops.

In other moves, the Giants optioned catcher Steve Holm to Fresno, leaving them with just one full time catcher in Benjie Molina. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval will moonlight as a backup backstop until later in the season (probably right after the first month, which is laden with off days, and at which time the Giants will have a little better idea of the type of team that they are fielding), when Holm is expected to be recalled. Relief pitcher Justin Miller was reassigned to minor league camp. Expect him back some time this season. Also, the contracts of Juan Uribe and Rich Aurilia were purchased from Fresno. Both veterans will start the season on the Giants roster. Finally, pitcher Noah Lowry and reliever Sergio Romo will both open the season on the 15 day disabled list.

The 2009 San Francisco Giants opening day roster is as follows:

Starting Rotation: Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Johnson, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito.

Bullpen: Alex Hinshaw, Bob Howry, Joseph Martinez, Brandon Medders, Merkin Valdez, Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt,

Starters:

C: Benjie Molina.

1B: Travis Ishikawa

2B: Emmanuel Burriss

SS: Edgar Renteria

3B: Pablo Sandoval

RF: Randy Winn

CF: Aaron Rowand

LF: Fred Lewis