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The San Francisco Giants appear to be heading toward an open competition for the backup catcher spot. With Tom Murphy sidelined due to injury, another player will likely need to step up and claim the role.
While it was already known that Murphy was dealing with an injury, the situation has worsened. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, Murphy has been diagnosed with a mid-back disk herniation—an issue that sounds painful just reading about it. While one hopes the injury isn’t too severe, it seems highly unlikely that he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
This is an unfortunate setback for the 33-year-old veteran, who barely played last season due to a knee injury, appearing in only 13 games. The Giants signed Murphy ahead of the 2024 season with the expectation that he would be a reliable backup to Patrick Bailey. However, injuries have largely kept him off the field during his time in San Francisco.
Injury to Tom Murphy creates open competition for SF Giants backup catcher
Still, the Giants will need a backup for Bailey, and they were smart to prepare for this possibility by adding depth in the offseason.
The top contenders for the backup catcher role are Sam Huff, Max Stassi, and Logan Porter. All three have experience managing a major league pitching staff, which is the most crucial quality in a backup catcher. While offensive production is a nice bonus, the primary concern is finding someone who is reliable defensively and earns the trust of the pitching staff.
At this point, Huff may have a slight edge after hitting a two-run home run in the Giants’ first spring training game. However, with plenty of spring training games left, there’s still time for another catcher to make a strong case for the role. Ultimately, performance will determine who secures the spot, but the Giants need someone to step up and provide stability at one of baseball’s most vital positions.
Beyond his home run, Huff also has the most recent major league experience, having played three games in 2024. Meanwhile, Porter last appeared in the majors in 2023, and Stassi hasn’t played at the big-league level since 2022. While this may not be the deciding factor, it’s still worth noting in the competition for the backup catcher job.
