Giants' Spencer Howard: Gives up two earned runs in relief
Rotowire
Howard was charged with three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk over one inning of relief in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs. He recorded three strikeouts.
After making both of his previous two appearances as a starter, Howard was deployed out of the bullpen behind opening pitcher Erik Miller. Miller left the game after pitching the first inning, then Spencer Bivens, Sean Hjelle and Taylor Rogers worked innings two through six before Howard entered the game in the top of the seventh. Though he worked just one frame, Howard tossed 33 pitches and should remain fairly stretched out if the Giants need to turn to him for a start or a bulk-relief appearance during the team's four-game series against the Cubs to begin the upcoming week. The Giants currently have just two healthy full-time starters (Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks).
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Working behind opener
Rotowire
Howard is expected to serve as the Giants' bulk reliever Wednesday against the Cubs behind opening pitcher Erik Miller.
Howard worked as a starter his last time out Friday against the Angels, but he was roughed up for four earned runs on seven hits and four walks before he was pulled from the game midway through the third inning. The Giants will have him work behind Miller on Wednesday with the hope of generating better results from the right-hander.
Howard (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Angels.
Howard had been generally passable over his first three appearances (one start), but he struggled as the starter against a weak offense Friday. The Angels got on the board in the second inning and then poured it on in the third before Howard exited the contest. He's now at a 4.02 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over 15.2 innings this season. The right-hander's time in the rotation was always likely to be temporary, though none of Blake Snell (groin), Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) or Robbie Ray (elbow) are particularly close to returning. If Howard remains in the rotation, he's lined up to make his next appearance on the road against the Cubs.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Goes 4.2 innings again vs. Texas
Rotowire
Howard didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.
Howard ran into some trouble in the first inning, walking the first two batters he faced before ultimately allowing a run on a sacrifice fly. While he'd hold the Rangers scoreless over his final 3.2 frames, Howard would wind up an out shy of qualifying for the win. The 27-year-old right-hander has yet to make it through five innings through his first three outings with the Giants this year, though he's allowed just three earned runs over 13.1 frames. Howard figures to remain in the rotation until Blake Snell (groin) is ready to return. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Angels in his next start.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Allows two runs
Rotowire
Howard yielded two runs on four hits over 4.2 innings in a no-decision Monday. He struck out three during the loss to Arizona.
Both runs against Howard came during the second inning after he took over for Erik Miller, who opened the game with a scoreless frame. Howard found a groove and didn't face much of a threat after that second-inning hiccup. In two outings since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, he's posted a 7:0 K:BB and a 2.08 ERA through 8.2 innings. With Blake Snell (groin) back on the injured list, Howard could make another start or be used as a bulk reliever again later this week.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Set for bulk-relief role Monday
Rotowire
Howard is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Erik Miller in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The Giants will go back to the well with Howard as their de facto No. 5 starter for another turn through the rotation while the team awaits Keaton Winn's (forearm) return from the injured list. After being called up from Triple-A Sacramento last Tuesday, Howard worked behind Miller and struck out four over four scoreless innings while taking a no-decision against the Phillies. Though he was effective in his Giants debut, Howard was less impressive in a larger body of work at Sacramento prior to his promotion (5.90 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 57:17 K:BB in 39.2 innings). Winn could be tracking toward a return from the IL later this week, but with Blake Snell (groin) at risk of landing on the IL after exiting his last start, the Giants might still have a rotation spot available for Howard beyond Monday.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Impresses in bulk relief
Rotowire
Howard didn'tt factor into the decision in Tuesday's 1-0 extra-inning win over the Phillies, striking out four over four scoreless innings while scattering five hits and no walks.
Howard ended up being the third pitcher to enter the game for the Giants after Erik Miller pitched one inning as the Giants' opener before reliever Taylor Rogers completed two more innings after him. Howard, who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento earlier Tuesday, kept his former team scoreless through the seventh but couldn't get a win after the Giants poked the game's only run across in the 10th. Given the current back-end rotation issues, Howard certainly has given himself a good chance to stick around for now, though the Giants have yet to announce any official plans for the 27-year-old moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Promoted, likely to pitch Tuesday
Rotowire
The Giants selected Howard's contract from Triple-A Sacramento, and he's expected to serve as the primary pitcher Tuesday against the Phillies, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.
Erik Miller is starting Tuesday's contest for the Giants, and Howard is expected to see some bulk innings behind the opener. Howard has showcased his swing-and-miss stuff at Triple-A Sacramento this season with a 13.1 K/9, but his 5.90 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 39.2 innings are otherwise underwhelming.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Giants reassigned Howard to minor-league camp Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Howard signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Nov. 10 and was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He posted a 1.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 9.2 innings, but it ultimately wasn't enough. Howard has struggled at the big-league level, but a productive stint in Triple-A could give the Giants a reason to call him up to the majors this season.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Could get look in rotation
Rotowire
Howard could have a chance to make the Giants' Opening Day rotation if Keaton Winn (elbow) isn't ready, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
An MRI on Winn's elbow came back clean, but his status is up in the air. Howard is with the Giants as a non-roster invitee and appears to be one of the top candidates to fill in for Winn, if needed. The 27-year-old has flopped so far at the big-league level, holding a 7.20 ERA and 109:55 K:BB over 115 innings covering 29 starts and nine relief appearances.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Spencer Howard: Latches on with Giants
Rotowire
Howard signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Friday.
Howard made three major-league appearances with the Rangers in 2023, though most of his time was spent in Triple-A, where he put up a 6.86 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 21 frames. Given his career 7.20 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across 115 innings in the majors, it's unlikely Howard makes an impact with the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Spencer Howard: Cut loose by Yankees
Rotowire
The Yankees released Howard (undisclosed) on Wednesday.
Howard was acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline but made just three appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before going on the affiliate's 7-day injured list with an undisclosed issue. Though the Yankees haven't indicated whether or not he's healthy again, Howard is free to seek a gig in another organization. Howard holds a 7.20 ERA over 38 appearances in the majors, but he's a former top prospect who has missed plenty of bats in the minors, so he'll likely latch on somewhere.
... See More... See Less
Yankees' Spencer Howard: On minor-league injured list
Rotowire
Howard left his outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a team trainer Saturday and was placed on the seven-day injured list with an undisclosed issue,Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.
The nature and severity of Howard's injury are not clear. The 27-year-old righty likely wasn't going to play a major role for the Yankees down the stretch even if healthy, as he was acquired for cash at the deadline and owns a career 7.20 ERA in 115 major-league innings.
The Yankees optioned Howard to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.
After being dealt from Texas to the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Howard will head back to Triple-A. The 27-year-old righty holds a 5.40 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 18.1 frames in the minors this season and hasn't been very effective throughout his big-league career.
... See More... See Less
Yankees' Spencer Howard: Dealt to Yankees for cash
Rotowire
Howard was traded from the Rangers to the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
It has been quite a fall from grace for Howard over the past few years, as he was once seen as one of the better pitching prospects in the game as part of the Phillies' farm system, but he is now on his third team. The 27-year-old righty has a 7.20 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 115 career innings in the majors and had been working as a low-leverage reliever for the Rangers.
... See More... See Less
Rangers' Spencer Howard: Returns to majors
Rotowire
Howard was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.
Howard had a disastrous appearance last month with the Rangers but has pitched well in the minors this season after recovering from a lat strain. He figures to be used in low-leverage situations.
... See More... See Less
Rangers' Spencer Howard: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
Howard was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Howard made his season debut Friday after missing the first two months of the season with a lat strain, and it couldn't have gone much worse. The Rays bullied him to the tune of four runs in one-third of an inning, as he walked one batter, hit another and gave up four hits. Per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the Rangers believe they called Howard up too early, as he joined the team after making just two rehab outings. He'll continue to get stretched out in the minors and is a potential rotation option if the Rangers get hit with more injuries.
... See More... See Less
Rangers' Spencer Howard: Brought back from IL
Rotowire
The Rangers activated Howard (lat) from the 60-day injured list Monday.
Howard has been sidelined all season with a right lat strain but has been cleared to return following a two-appearance minor-league rehab assignment in which he struck out seven and walked one over 3.2 hitless innings. Though he's worked primarily as a starter for the Rangers since being acquired from the Phillies in July 2021, his usage in the minors prior to being activated suggests Texas plans on deploying him as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen now that he's healthy again.
