Fitzgerald, 27, was a breakout star for the Giants in 2024. He hit .280 with 15 home runs in 96 games for the Giants last season, and was viewed as the second baseman of the future for San Francisco.
But he struggled mightily at the plate in 2025. He hit only .227 with 3 home runs in 63 games and lost the starting second base job to Casey Schmitt. He was demoted to AAA Sacramento back on July 7, 2025.
Fitzgerald has played a little bit of right field during his most recent stint in AAA Sacramento. The Giants have an opening there they have yet to definitively fill since Mike Yastrzemski was traded to the Kansas City Royals.
Fitzgerald is in the lineup against the San Diego Padres as the right fielder on August 12, 2025. They are hoping he can deliver at the plate against left handed pitcher Nestor Cortes.
Why Was Whisenhunt Demoted?
The Giants continue to make bizarre moves with their starting pitching. They haven’t been able to figure out a consistent 5 man rotation since trading away Kyle Harrison for Rafael Devers.
Carson Whisenhunt hasn’t been perfect, or anything close to it, in his three major league starts this season. He’s 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14.1 innings.
But the Giants really don’t have anyone else to be their No. 5 starter right now. Landen Roupp is set to return from the injured list any day now, but his spot in the rotation is currently occupied by Kai-Wei Teng. When Roupp returns, Teng will likely be sent back to AAA Sacramento too.
That would leave the Giants with only four starters: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Justin Verlander and Roupp.
Unless, the Giants plan on keeping Teng to be the No. 5 starter for now. He did have a great performance in his first MLB win on Friday August 8, 2025, pitching 5 innings and giving up only 3 hits and 0 runs.
Kai-Wei Teng kept the game ball and lineup card from his first MLB win tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/U4zcGojdqT
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 9, 2025
But that means the Giants will have to demote a position player or relief pitcher to keep Teng in the big leagues. If that’s the case, expect Grant McCray or Carson Seymour to be sent back to Sacramento.
Was Fitzgerald The Best Option In Right?
Tyler Fitzgerald could certainly still have a future on the San Francisco Giants, especially as an infielder. But why the Giants see him as the best right-handed hitting outfielder is a mystery.
The Giants have yet to give Luis Matos a truly consistent shot this season, and they haven’t given now-outfielder Marco Luciano a shot at all. He has a bad batting average in Sacramento this season but has popped 20 home runs.
MARCO LUCIANO HOMER!
17th of the season!!! pic.twitter.com/9OT8HcbZmn
— Sacramento River Cats (@RiverCats) July 11, 2025
At this rate, Giants fans just can’t wait to see Dakota Jordan get a shot in a few years, or to see the Giants go get a right-handed hitting outfielder in free agency.
What do you think, Giants fans? Are you excited to see Tyler Fitzgerald get another shot? What is the long term answer for the Giants in right field? Would you have liked to see Carson Whisenhunt get to start more games before he was demoted?
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