The Giants optioned Black to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Black was saddled with his fifth loss of the season Wednesday versus Arizona, allowing four earned runs on five hits and five walks across just 2.2 innings. Now that his spot in the rotation won't be needed for the rest of the season, the Giants will send him back to the minors and insert Randy Rodriguez (elbow) back into their bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Issues five walks in loss
Rotowire
Black (1-5) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over 2.2 innings while striking out three.
Black had a miserable second inning, allowing back-to-back hits to open the frame and failing to retire five of the first six batters he faced while seeing three runs come across for Arizona. The right-hander continued to struggle in the third, allowing three walks and an infield single before eventually being relieved by Sean Hjelle with two outs. Black's five walks on the night marked a season high and he's now lost four of his last five starts. It also tied for his shortest outing of the campaign after hurling a season-high 5.2 innings in his previous start against the Royals.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Picks up first career win
Rotowire
Black (1-4) earned the win Friday at Kansas City, pitching 5.2 scoreless frames while allowing four hits and one walk. He struck out four.
The rookie right-hander turned in the best performance of his young career with this 84-pitch outing -- his first scoreless start. Black had been stuck in a cold spell before this contest, pitching to a 5.27 ERA across 13.2 innings since re-entering the rotation Aug. 31. The 24-year-old managed to lower his season ERA from 7.07 to 5.88, as he now sports a 1.51 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB over 33.2 innings. Black is tentatively scheduled to make his last start against the Cardinals at home next week.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Allows one earned run in loss
Rotowire
Black (0-4) took the loss against the Padres on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk over four innings while striking out two.
The Padres got to Black early, tagging the right-hander for one run in the opening frame following a double from Manny Machado, though the run was unearned on account of a fielding error by Heliot Ramos. The 24-year-old would then get through the next two innings unscathed before surrendering a solo homer to Xander Bogaerts in the fourth. It marked the sixth time in seven outings this season that Black was unable to get through five innings, though it was also the second time over that span that he allowed only one earned run. Additionally, he's given up at least one home run in all seven of his outings and is still looking for his first win on the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Shaky in third loss
Rotowire
Black (0-3) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over 4.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Padres.
The Padres pounced early with a three-run first inning. Black was able to settle in after that, but he gave up one more run in the fifth, making this the fourth time in six outings (five starts) he's given up at least four runs. The right-hander has pitched to a 7.50 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB through 24 innings in the majors this season. Despite the poor outing, Black could continue to get starts in September after Kyle Harrison (shoulder) joined Robbie Ray (hamstring) on the injured list. Black is tentatively projected to make his next start at home in a rematch with the Padres.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Rewarded with another start
Rotowire
Black is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Padres in San Diego.
Black turned in an ugly 8.79 ERA and 1.95 WHIP during his four starts with the Giants in May, but he staged a successful return to the big-league rotation this past Saturday, when he limited the Marlins to two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six over five innings. The right-hander had shown improved form at Triple-A Sacramento in August prior to returning to the Giants, but the matchup with a weak Miami offense still may have played a big part in Black's success. He'll get a tougher draw Friday against a Padres lineup that recently welcomed back Fernando Tatis.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Allows two runs in loss
Rotowire
Black (0-2) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits over five innings while striking out six.
Black struck out three of the first four batters he faced in the contest before allowing three hits in the second, including a two-run homer off the bat of Griffin Conine. The rookie right-hander recovered nicely, however, hurling three consecutive scoreless from that point on until he was relieved by Taylor Rogers to open the sixth. Black's five innings on the mound marked a season high, as did his six strikeouts on the night. On the downside, he's now allowed a home run in all five of his outings this season.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Promoted for start
Rotowire
The Giants recalled Black from Triple-A Sacramento ahead of his start Saturday versus the Marlins.
The loss of Robbie Ray (hamstring) created an opening in the Giants' rotation, and Black will now come up from the minors to plug the gap. The 24-yera-old righty hasn't been impressive in his MLB career so far (8.79 ERA through 14.1 innings), but he's built some momentum in Triple-A with several consecutive solid outings, and he'll have the benefit in facing a Marlins offense that ranks 29th in the big leagues in total runs scored this year (509). Austin Warren was optioned to Sacramento in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Named Saturday's starter
Rotowire
The Giants will recall Black from Triple-A Sacramento to start Saturday's game against the Marlins, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Across his four previous MLB outings, Black has allowed 14 earned runs over 14.1 frames, and he hasn't appeared in a game for the Giants since May 23. However, he's turned in a 2.91 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 21.2 innings in Triple-A since the start of August, so he'll have momentum on his side as he faces the NL's lowest-scoring offense. Black will be stepping into the rotation spot vacated by Robbie Ray (hamstring), who was placed on the injured list Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Giants optioned Black to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.
Black was recalled from Sacramento ahead of Tuesday's contest, but he will now return to the minors without appearing in a game. The 24-year-old right-hander owns an 8.79 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in 14.1 innings with the Giants this season, but the lack of depth in San Francisco's rotation could allow him to return to the majors if needed for a spot start. Hayden Birdsong was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Recalled from Sacramento
Rotowire
The Giants recalled Black from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Black was dispatched to Triple-A in May after allowing 14 earned runs in 14.1 innings through his first four MLB appearances. He has since performed even worse in the minors (11.93 ERA, 2.72 WHIP in 14.1 innings), but he should be a part of the Giants' pitching plan for Tuesday's game against the Cubs once opening pitcher Randy Rodriguez exits the contest. Raymond Burgos was optioned to Sacramento in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
Black was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.
Black will make room for the newly signed Drew Pomeranz, exiting the big leagues after four appearances (three starts). During that time, he submitted an 8.79 ERA and a 10:7 K:BB across 14.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Works behind opener
Rotowire
Black allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings versus the Pirates on Thursday. He did not factor in the decision.
Black has been inconsistent as a starter this season, and his first turn working behind an opener was arguably even worse. He's allowed at least four runs in three of his four appearances, and this was the first time he failed to complete three innings. Black has an 8.79 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over 14.1 innings on the year. While he has excelled at Triple-A Sacramento, it appears he still needs a bit more time at that level before he can be an effective major-leaguer.
Black won't start Thursday's contest against the Pirates.
After being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento last Friday and making a three-inning start later that day, Black was slated to make his second straight turn through the rotation Thursday. He could still end up pitching in the series finale in Pittsburgh, but if he does, he'll be deployed as a bulk reliever out of the bullpen behind Erik Miller, who will open the game but will likely only cover an inning or two. Black has struggled in his three starts for the Giants this season, allowing 10 earned runs with an 8:5 K:BB over 11.2 frames.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Giants recalled Black from Triple-A Sacramento to start Friday's game against the Rockies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Black was lit up for five runs in 4.1 innings during his MLB debut May 6, but he managed to bounce back in his second start, giving up just one run in 4.1 frames against the Reds. He'll return to the Giants' rotation and start Friday as Keaton Winn (forearm) lands on the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Goes three innings Friday
Rotowire
Black allowed four runs on six hits and struck out two without walking a batter over three innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Friday.
Black was tagged for three runs in the first inning and gave up a solo home run to Jordan Beck in the second. This was Black's shortest of three major-league starts so far, likely due to the poor first run through the lineup. He's now at a 7.71 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The 24-year-old may have a chance to gain traction in the Giants' rotation while Keaton Winn (forearm) is on the injured list, though it's also possible Black gives way to Blake Snell (thigh) next week given the former's middling results so far for the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Demoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Black was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Black will head down to the minors after making his second start of the season Saturday against the Reds. He fared well, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 frames. The Giants have enough off days to go with a four-man rotation until Blake Snell (adductor) returns next week. Nick Avila was recalled in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Better in second start
Rotowire
Black allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Reds on Saturday.
Black put in a solid effort, though he walked two of the first three batters he faced in the fifth inning, and that was enough to end his second career start. The only run on his line was a solo shot from Elly De La Cruz in the fourth. Black has given up six runs on 12 hits, including two homers, over his first 8.2 major-league innings. Blake Snell (thigh) is beginning a rehab assignment Sunday, so it's possible Black may be kept in the majors for one or more starts depending on how long Snell's rehab takes. If he gets another turn through the rotation, Black is projected for a home start versus the Rockies, though the Giants could also skip his turn since they have an off day Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Mason Black: Receiving another start
Rotowire
Black is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Reds in San Francisco.
Black was touched up for five earned runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.1 innings in his MLB debut versus the Phillies on Monday, but he'll get at least one more chance to prove he belongs in the San Francisco rotation. The matchup with a Reds offense that ranks in the bottom five this season with an 80 wRC+ is a far more favorable one, and Black will also have the luxury of taking the hill in the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park.
