SAN DIEGO — After the Atlanta Braves took the final game of a three-game set in San Francisco on Sunday, they also picked up a former Giants catcher on their way out of town.
The Giants announced Tuesday that catcher Chadwick Tromp was claimed off waivers by the Braves after he was designated for assignment on Saturday to clear a 40-man roster spot for left-handed starter Alex Wood, who was returning from the COVID-19 injured list.
The Giants made another roster move Tuesday involving a popular relief pitcher who has battled significant injury issues over the last two years as Reyes Moronta cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento. It’s not clear when the Giants placed Moronta on waivers, but the decision comes after the right-hander struggled to regain the form he showed at the beginning of a promising career following major shoulder surgery.
Moronta collapsed in a heap on the mound at Oracle Park in a game against the Padres on Aug. 31, 2019 and underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum. The recovery and rehab prevented Moronta from pitching during the 2020 season and when he arrived at spring training this year, the Dominican Republic native had lost several ticks off his fastball velocity.
After making the Giants’ Opening Day roster, Moronta pitched in just four games before being placed on the injured list with a right flexor strain. He returned to game action on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento in late July and was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 22.
The Giants discussed promoting Moronta to the major league roster as recently as last week, but he has struggled with command en route to posting a 7.98 ERA with the Sacramento River Cats this season.
On Friday, Moronta posted a cryptic message to his Instagram story saying, “I feel like I should retire,” but it remains unclear whether or not the Giants had informed him of their decision to place him on waivers prior to his post.
By clearing waivers, Moronta will at least temporarily remain in the Giants’ farm system, but it’s uncertain what the future holds for a once-promising bullpen arm who many in the organization viewed as a potential closer candidate down the road.
