The bullies signed Spencer Howard to a new major league deal earlier this week, and the righty threw a scoreless inning at Triple-A Sacramento last night in his return to the organization. Howard started the season with the Giants before being traded to the Rangers in early July, but was designated for assignment and then waived by Cleveland before the end of the month, with Howard electing to enter free agency instead of being assigned outright.
A short trip back to the open market now led Howard back to Sacramento. Howard has a 5.75 ERA over 40 2/3 Triple-A innings this season, and a 6.21 ERA in 29 combined innings (24 with the Giants, five with the Rangers) at the big league level. While a .398 BABIP has contributed to Howard's struggles in the majors, his 18.8% strikeout rate and 9.7% walk rate are both below average, and he has allowed five homers in his 29 career frames.
Home runs have been a consistent problem for Howard in his five MLB seasons, contributing to his abysmal 7.00 ERA in 144 career innings with the Guardians, Giants, Rangers, and Phillies. A highly regarded prospect during his time in Philadelphia's farm system, Howard just turned 28 and is still trying to find a solid spot in the majors.
The Giants have used the right-hander in a variety of roles (starter, reliever, reliever, pinch hitter) this season without much success, and Howard will once again be in Triple-A to provide some depth. Howard is out of the minor league league, if San Francisco opted his contract to return to the active roster, the club would have to follow the DFA route to try to return Howard to the minors.
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