SCOTTSDALE — Trevor McDonald’s locker is five down from Landen Roupp’s in the Giants’ spring training clubhouse, and it would make a lot of sense if Roupp’s path is the one McDonald hopes to follow. 

Roupp was a starter in the minors but was so good two springs ago that the staff had no choice but to put him in the Opening Day bullpen. After making 19 relief appearances and four starts that season, he won a starting job the next spring. Roupp is now locked into the rotation.

There’s not currently a starting spot available for McDonald, but like Roupp two years ago, he looks like one of the best 13 arms in camp. And he doesn’t need anybody to give him a recent history lesson.

“Me and him are best friends and ride to and from the field every day and talk about that stuff,” McDonald said. “Whether it’s the bullpen, rotation, whatever, my main goal is just wherever they need me, be ready to be there and compete when I get the opportunity.”

McDonald has looked sharp all spring, and he struck out a pair in a quick inning Monday afternoon against the A’s. Like many of the other young arms in camp, he also showed an uptick in velocity.

McDonald hit 97.2 mph and averaged 95 mph with his sinker on Monday. His best recorded velocity in three big league appearances last year was 94.9 mph, and in the minors it was 96.7. 

“It’s in the tank. If you look back a couple years ago in the minor leagues that was there,” McDonald said. “I’ve just kind of been a lot more intentional in my sleep and recovery and what I’ve been putting in my body this offseason. 

“I felt really good coming into camp, so I think that’s just all that showing on the field.

McDonald said he’s going to bed earlier and getting more rest, and he also has experimented with the carnivore diet, which is touted by fellow right-handers Adrian Houser and Carson Seymour. He is up about 15 pounds from spring training last year, but when it comes to the diet, he is not as strict as the others. 

“I like to eat,” McDonald said, smiling. 

While McDonald looks like he might follow Roupp’s path, there is one big difference. Roupp had never pitched in the big leagues before winning a bullpen spot. McDonald made a cameo in 2024 before dazzling in a couple of September starts last year, including six strong innings at Dodger Stadium on the season’s final road trip. 

McDonald said those late appearances gave him a boost of confidence. 

“Coming into this spring it makes you hungry to get back up there and compete,” he said.

The Ace

Logan Webb will make his spring debut on Tuesday and pitch one more time before joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. While that team’s rotation has not yet been announced, Webb is lined up to face Brazil in the opener of pool play on March 6. 

While Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal have gotten most of the pre-tournament attention, Webb might end up being one of the co-aces. Skubal announced Monday that he will pitch just once in the tournament. Webb plans to stay until Team USA is either eliminated or wins it all. 

Back-to-back? 

The Giants beat the A’s 6-2 to improve to 3-0, picking up right where they left off in 2025, when they had the best record in the Cactus League. Other than the first inning Saturday, they have pitched extremely well through 27 innings.

The best line Monday came from right-hander Marques Johnson, who struck out all three batters he faced in the sixth. The 25-year-old was picked up from Boston at the deadline in 2023 in exchange for Mauricio Llovera. He had a 2.53 ERA in 41 appearances across two levels last season and struck out 78 batters in 57 innings.

A New Face

The staff got a first look at right-hander Trystan Vrieling, who was acquired in the Camilo Doval trade last year and spent the rest of the season with Double-A Richmond. The 25-year-old came out of the bullpen in the fourth and worked around some trouble. Vrieling’s fastball topped out at 96.2 mph as he walked one, gave up a single and struck out one in a scoreless frame. 

Vrieling made seven starts for the Flying Squirrels after last season’s trade, posting a 5.14 ERA and striking out 29 in 28 innings. 

Trainer’s Room 

Tyler Mahle was sick last week but he threw a simulated inning Tuesday and looked ready to roll. He should be in the spring rotation soon.

Jason Foley (shoulder) and Sam Hentges (shoulder, knee) both continue to work through throwing progressions. The staff has hinted that they might be especially cautious with Hentges, and the left-hander may not be ready for Opening Day. 

Joel Peguero missed some time with hamstring tightness but he is back to throwing bullpens and will have a live BP session on Friday.

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