SCOTTSDALE — There were just a few dozen people watching on Friday afternoon when Logan Webb threw the first “competitive” pitch of 2026 for the Giants. After 12 bullpen sessions to prepare his arm, Webb dug in against outfielder Jerar Encarnacion to start the first day of live batting practice matchups between the team’s pitchers and hitters.

Afterward, Webb smiled when asked about feeling any nerves. He said Justin Verlander taught all of the pitchers a lesson last year. 

“The minute you’re not nervous pitching in a game or facing hitters is the minute you should hang them up,” Verlander told them. 

The normal spring progression will have Webb on a mound in a Cactus League game later this month, but after that, his spring will take a turn. Webb will be one of the aces of a loaded Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic, and he’ll join Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and others at Papago Park — the Giants’ minor league facility — on March 1 for training sessions. After that, he’ll be in red, white and blue until Team USA either wins the tournament or is eliminated. 

It will be a new experience for a man who is poised to make his fifth consecutive Opening Day start. But Webb said Friday that the ramp-up to Opening Day hasn’t been impacted at all just because he’ll finally get to pitch in the WBC. 

“I don’t think it’s going to change,” Webb said. “I get adrenaline just pitching in the first spring training game. I had adrenaline today. You go out there and it’s the first time facing a hitter and you feel adrenaline. It’s the same thing with spring (training). I know the first spring game I’m always super about it and then I’m ready to go and pitch during the regular season.

“Spring training is fun. It’s like, you’re excited to get here, you’ve thrown like two games, and you’re like, ‘All right, I want to get out of here.’ I actually get to do that this year.”

Team USA will play a scrimmage at Scottsdale Stadium on March 3 before facing Brazil on March 6 at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros. They will also face Great Britain, Italy and Mexico in pool play. If they keep advancing, the final will be March 17 in Miami. 

While nothing is official yet, the Giants expect that Webb will pitch in one of the first couple of games during the pool play round. It was no secret that team officials hoped he would skip this year’s event, but Webb said he’s right on track physically and noted that trainer Dave Groeschner will be with him as part of Team USA’s staff.

“I feel really good,” Webb said after facing hitters Friday. “The mechanics feel really good. It’s been a normal throwing program, a normal bullpen ramp-up.”

Literally, a Gold Glove

Webb has a special glove for the WBC that has some red, white and blue in the stitching. It also includes a gold patch, and that will be on all of Webb’s gloves this season after he won his first Gold Glove Award in 2025. The same is true for catcher Patrick Bailey, although he’s used to it. 

“Patrick doesn’t have that on me anymore,” Webb said, laughing. 

Bailey was behind the plate for Webb’s session against hitters. Hayden Birdsong also faced hitters Friday and said he felt good about the way the ball was coming out. 

Another New Arm

The Giants made an interesting move Friday, signing a pitcher who will miss all of 2026 to a one-year contract.

Right-hander Rowan Wick had Tommy John surgery in November and will rehab the entire season, but the Giants hold a club option for 2027. Essentially, the Giants get to guide the 33-year-old through his rehab, and if they feel good about it this November, they can bring Wick back to compete for a bullpen spot in 2027. It’s also a good deal for Wick, who will rehab on a big league contract after spending the last two seasons in Japan.

Wick has a 3.82 ERA in 146 career relief appearances for the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs. His 0.84 ERA last season for the Yokohama DeNa BayStars in the Nippon Professional Baseball League was the second-lowest of any pitcher with at least 40 innings.

To open a roster spot for Wick, the Giants moved fellow rehabbing right-hander Jason Foley to the 60-day IL. Foley is recovering from shoulder surgery and should be an option midseason. Wick will move to the 60-day IL the next time a roster spot is needed and will spend all season there. 

“Hallway Guy”

Left-hander Reiver Sanmartin is one of several left-handers hoping to win a bullpen job with a big spring. The 29-year-old spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues with the Cincinnati Reds and was claimed in November. 

One of the early talking points in camp has been just how similar Sanmartin looks to Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler, but it’s something else that has stood out to manager Tony Vitello.

“I got to see him throw for the first time yesterday. Good stuff,” Vitello said. “But he’s a good hallway guy. If you’re not in a good mood when you walk past that guy, it’s going to change pretty quick. Right now, that’s my scouting report for him. 

“I don’t know how many games that wins you in the division or playing anybody else, but there’s a lot of good people in the building and he’s got good energy to him. I’m excited to watch him throw more.”

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