{"id":6631,"date":"2026-08-12T07:07:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T07:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6631"},"modified":"2026-08-12T07:07:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T07:07:42","slug":"sf-giants-bring-back-veteran-backstop-knizner-on-mlb-deal-following-susacs-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6631","title":{"rendered":"SF Giants bring back veteran backstop Knizner on MLB deal following Susac’s injury"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 A day after rookie catcher Daniel Susac was diagnosed with a likely season-ending left knee patellar fracture, the Giants brought back veteran backstop Andrew Knizner on a major-league deal to address the team\u2019s incredibly thin catching depth.<\/p>\n

Read more Whisenhunt, Eldridge headline SF Giants\u2019 rookie contributions in win vs. Astros<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good fit for me to come back, and it\u2019s an easy transition,\u201d said Knizner, who caught in 32 games with the Giants last season. \u201cI know most of the guys here. I love playing in the city. It\u2019s a great stadium. I kind of know everything, so it\u2019s quick and easy to just come in and fall into place.\u201d<\/p>\n

To make room for Knizner, the Giants optioned catcher Zach Morgan to Triple-A Sacramento. Morgan, a Stockton native, was called up to the majors for the first time in his career on Monday but didn\u2019t join the team until the third inning as he flew in from Las Vegas. He did not appear in Monday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

Additionally, outfielder Victor Bericoto was reinstated from the 10-day injured list, and utilityman Eddys Leonard, who made his debut last week, was designated for assignment.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrustrating story conclusion, but a really exciting beginning,\u201d Giants manager Tony Vitello said of Leonard, who went 2-for-8 at the plate. \u201cObviously, he\u2019s got to forge ahead and hope to lean on this a little bit. At least now, he can say he was able to do some things. He knows what it looks like. He knows he can fit in. Hopefully, a confidence builder and a stepping stone for him in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knizner (pronounced KIZZ-ner) was a backup last season to former Giant Patrick Bailey, hitting .221 with a home run and a .598 OPS while worth -1 defensive runs saved. Following Susac\u2019s injury, Knizner and rookie Drew Cavanaugh will form the Giants\u2019 catcher tandem.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s good to have his experience, but mostly to have his personality,\u201d said Vitello. \u201cFamiliarity adds to that a little bit. He\u2019s pretty quick to get comfortable in a social setting. I think he\u2019s good to have around \u2014 good vibes is the easiest way to talk about it. But also, having experience for what lies ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knizner had been playing for Boston\u2019s Triple-A affiliate but exercised his opt-out last week (before Susac\u2019s injury), becoming a free agent. With Susac and Jes\u00fas Rodr\u00edguez (right elbow neuritis) both injured, the Giants reached out to Knizner on Monday. Knizner arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday morning following a six-hour flight across the country with his wife and 10-month-old baby.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy opt-out was in the middle of last week,\u201d said Knizner, who has hit .294 with 12 home runs in the minors this year. \u201cI\u2019d been playing good. I played myself into what I thought was a good chance to get a major-league opportunity, and this worked out. Each time those opt-outs come up, it\u2019s always good to kind of test the market, see where you stand, especially when you\u2019ve been playing good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Ronn Owens\u2019 bankruptcy case dismissed amid scrutiny of $137,000 GoFundMe<\/a><\/p>\n

On the medical front, Susac will rest and rehab for the next four weeks before being re-evaluated, and will seek a second opinion this week. Susac, whose season is likely over, is currently using crutches while wearing a large black brace on his knee while the swelling goes down. He will seek a second opinion this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve blocked balls off my knee and stuff like that, so I thought it was one of those [that was] going to hurt for the night and will be fine tomorrow, \u201d said Susac, who has never previously used crutches. \u201cThen, it still hurt the next day. When I came to the field, I was like, \u2018I don\u2019t think it\u2019s normal.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

Assuming Susac\u2019s year is done, the rookie made a compelling case to be this team\u2019s starting catcher going into next season.<\/p>\n

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The Giants acquired Susac at last year\u2019s Winter Meetings in a trade with the Minnesota Twins, who had just selected Susac in the Rule 5 Draft from the Athletics. Susac made the Opening Day roster as Bailey\u2019s backup and ended up in a featured role when San Francisco traded Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never had any doubt in myself as a player, so that wasn\u2019t a thing for me where it was, \u2018Am I meant to be here?\u2019 \u201d Susac said of his Rule 5 status. \u201cI\u2019ve always believed in myself that way. In spring training, I just wanted to prove it to other people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Susac provided tremendous defensive value, ranking sixth in Fielding Run Value (+7) despite being on the injured list three times. Bailey, for comparison, has a Fielding Run Value of +4 despite playing significantly more innings. At the plate, Susac hit .243 with three home runs and a .664 OPS. All in all, Susac was worth 1.1 WAR, per FanGraphs.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefensively, I think I\u2019ll be the first one to tell you I think it was the biggest place I made strides at this year,\u201d Susac said. \u201cThat\u2019s a credit to [catching] coach Alex Burg. Best coach I\u2019ve ever had. Just really made me so much better and a person. He\u2019s a great person as well. There\u2019s obviously things you can clean up everywhere and keep getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with Susac, third baseman Matt Chapman underwent successful \u201cbilateral core muscle\u201d surgery Tuesday morning in Philadelphia and will travel back to the Bay Area later this week.<\/p>\n

Read more Before Tahoe-area avalanche killed 9, guides knew danger was high and storm was worsening<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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