The Giants optioned Luciano to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.
Luciano came into spring training as the favorite to win the Giants' shortstop job, but he missed some time with an injury and the club eventually signed Nick Ahmed, who ended up claiming the job. The 22-year-old could still eventually push to take over at shortstop with the big club this season, but for now, he'll go to Sacramento.
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Giants' Marco Luciano: Falls behind Ahmed for starting job
Rotowire
Luciano has slipped behind Nick Ahmed for the Giants' starting shortstop job, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Luciano has had a terrible spring, going 1-for-14 (.071) with nine strikeouts over six games. Ahmed, meanwhile, has gone 5-for-9 with two home runs across four spring contests. Luciano was viewed as the frontrunner for the shortstop job heading into spring training, but he's struggled in all aspects after battling a hamstring injury early in camp, and that has eroded his advantage. With both Luciano and Ahmed being right-handed hitters, there's little chance a platoon develops here.
Giants' Marco Luciano: Making Cactus debut Thursday
Rotowire
Luciano (hamstring) is starting at shortstop and batting second for the Giants on Thursday against the Diamondbacks in his Cactus League debut, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Luciano has been slowed by a hamstring issue to this point in camp but is feeling well enough to give it a go Thursday. The 22-year-old is tracking toward everyday shortstop duties for the Giants this season, although he will need to hold off Casey Schmitt and non-roster invitee Nick Ahmed.
Giants' Marco Luciano: Coming back from hamstring issue
Rotowire
Luciano has been dealing with a minor hamstring issue but is tentatively listed in the Giants' lineup for Saturday's Cactus League opener against the Cubs, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
It's not clear how long Luciano's hamstring has been bothering him, but as long as he gets through a workout Friday with no issues he will be in Saturday's lineup. The youngster is projected to serve as the Giants' primary shortstop this season.
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Giants' Marco Luciano: Scratched from lineup
Rotowire
Luciano (hamstring) has been scratched from the Giants' lineup for Saturday's game versus the Cubs, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Luciano has been dealing with what's been described as a minor hamstring problem. While the hope was that he could play Saturday following a workout Friday, the Giants have ultimately decided to exercise caution. It's not clear when Luciano might be able to suit up for Cactus League action, but it seems like a day-to-day situation at this juncture.
Giants' Marco Luciano: Could open '24 as main shortstop
Rotowire
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Tuesday that Luciano will be given the chance to open the 2024 season as the team's everyday shortstop, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.
Luciano mostly struggled offensively between his two different stints in the majors this season, but the 22-year-old owns a career .834 OPS in the minors and tallied 15 homers in 74 games this summer between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento. He also has a bit of speed and an improving defensive reputation.
Luciano went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 5-1 win over the Dodgers.
The 22-year-old prospect has started the last two games at shortstop with Brandon Crawford (hamstring) on the injured list. Luciano is batting .333 (6-for-18) over six major-league contests but has a .223/.334/.442 slash line over 74 game between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento this year while struggling to stay healthy. Despite those numbers, he could close out the year with a starting role for the Giants. The steal was his first in the majors.
The Giants recalled Luciano from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.
Luciano seems positioned to serve as the Giants' primary shortstop over the final 10 games of the 2023 regular season after the team placed Brandon Crawford (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Thursday and released Paul DeJong. Luciano is a high-ranking prospect and can use this time as an audition to be the Opening Day starter at short in 2024, though he hasn't been much of a counting stats compiler in either the minors or majors this year.
Luciano (hamstring) was reinstated from Triple-A Sacramento's 7-day injured list and went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his return to the lineup in Tuesday's 8-1 loss to Sugar Land.
Luciano ended up missing just under a month due to a hamstring strain, but he showed some rust in his return to the Triple-A lineup, donning the Golden Sombrero for the third time this season. The 22-year-old infielder will look to finish the Triple-A season on a high note and could still have a chance to join the big club before the MLB campaign comes to a close.
