The San Francisco Giants could still get a look at Marcelo Mayer before the end of the season. Manager Tony Vitello said Monday there is “a chance” the former top prospect makes his Giants debut, provided his recovery continues on schedule.
Mayer is progressing toward a minor-league rehab assignment after dealing with a right foot bone bruise. He has already shed his walking boot and resumed baseball activities, giving the Giants some hope of seeing their prized trade acquisition before the season ends.
Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reported Vitello’s update Monday. Mayer has not appeared in a major league game since June 25, when he was still with the Boston Red Sox.
The 23-year-old infielder was acquired by San Francisco at the trade deadline in a deal that sent left-handed reliever Erik Miller and minor leaguer Carlos Gutierrez to Boston. Mayer was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and entered the organization with considerable expectations.
His 2026 season has been interrupted by injuries, however. Mayer initially landed on the Injured List with a left forearm stress reaction before suffering a foot injury during his attempted return through Triple-A Sacramento.
Mayer briefly appeared to be on the verge of returning when he homered in his first rehab game with Sacramento on Aug. 13. The subsequent setback halted that progress and left the Giants waiting again.
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With San Francisco eliminated from postseason contention, there is little reason to rush Mayer back. Still, even a short September audition could give the organization valuable information heading into the offseason.
The Giants entered the final weeks of the season at 60-85, leaving development as one of the club’s primary priorities. If Mayer can return safely, a handful of major league games could provide an early glimpse at how he fits into San Francisco’s plans for 2027.
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