SCOTTSDALE — With less than two weeks until Opening Day, the Giants are still trying to figure out which pitchers will emerge as their best relievers. One potential option is headed for tests on his elbow, potentially knocking him out of that race. 

Right-hander Hayden Birdsong felt soreness in his right elbow during an outing on Tuesday and will get checked by team doctors, manager Tony Vitello confirmed after Thursday’s spring training game. The news first was reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Birdsong has had an up-and-down spring but showed promise on Tuesday, striking out one in a scoreless inning and hitting 99 mph. Vitello said he caught up with the young pitcher before Thursday’s game.

“(He’d) like to know what’s going on, so they’re looking into that,” Vitello said. “Obviously on a personal level you want what’s best for each one of these guys … he’s one that everyone has gotten close to because of his likability, coachability and his talent, but as of right now it’s out of my hands. I’m not a (medical) expert.”

The Giants likely will be extremely cautious with Birdsong no matter what tests say. He is still viewed as a big part of their future, and the hope is that he can figure out his command issues and turn back into a good option for the rotation. There also has been some thought this spring that Birdsong could excel in short sprints and help a bullpen that is the clear weak spot on the roster; he did that early last season and looked comfortable. 

A few of the pitchers vying for bullpen spots pitched on Thursday, and another young right-hander was a standout. Keaton Winn hit 99 mph and showed off a nasty splitter. In five appearances this spring, Winn has struck out six and allowed just one run.

“It’s not been once, it’s not been twice, it’s been three times and maybe even a little more of he’s gone out there and thrown the ball well,” Vitello said. “The stuff has upticked, and then he’s throwing it in there with conviction. It’s a pretty good overall combination.”

Cutting Down

There are often multiple rounds of cuts by this point of the spring, but the new coaching staff wanted to get an extended look at unfamiliar young players, and the fact that so many veterans left for the WBC made it easy to find playing time. That’s about to change, though, and on Thursday the Giants reassigned four players to minor league camp: Right-handers Trent Harris and Will Bednar, outfielder Bo Davidson, and catcher Diego Cartaya. 

Harris and Bednar should return to Triple-A Sacramento, and both could be options for the big league bullpen this season. Davidson is the organization’s top outfield prospect and will start the season in Double-A; he made a dozen spring appearances and was 3-for-14 at the plate.

Cartaya’s next step is more of a mystery. The 24-year-old was once one of the best prospects in the minors and has played for the Triple-A affiliates of both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins. But the Giants could have Jesus Rodriguez, Eric Haase and Logan Porter as Triple-A catching depth, and it’s clear the staff feels Cartaya needs a lot more development. He had just five spring at-bats before getting reassigned. 

Almost Back

Erik Miller will make his spring debut Friday after missing time with lower back tightness. Miller should have enough time to get built up by the March 25 opener, which is crucial for the Giants. 

Miller is not only their top left-handed reliever, but also a candidate to pitch in the seventh or eighth regardless of matchups. He had a 1.50 ERA in 36 appearances last season before feeling elbow discomfort. He didn’t need surgery, but Friday’s appearance will still be his first against big league hitters since a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 2. 

The Giants should also soon get Gregory Santos back in a Cactus League game. The hard-throwing right-hander was making a strong push for a roster spot before going on bereavement leave, and Vitello said the missed time won’t impact his standing in the bullpen competition. 

Familiar Face

LaMonte Wade Jr. got a nice ovation before the game when his name was announced and again when he came up for the first time. The former Giants first baseman went 1-for-3 against his old team, continuing what has been a solid first spring for the Chicago White Sox.

Wade has a .828 OPS with one homer after signing a minor league deal with Chicago late in the offseason. He is viewed within their camp as a potential option for their bench. 

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