SF Giants catcher Joey Bart assigned to Triple-A for rehab assignment
While the SF Giants were forced to make multiple roster moves at catcher on the big-league roster on Saturday, backstop Joey Bart also took a step towards returning to the field. The former top prospect and second overall pick has been assigned to Triple-A Sacramento to begin a rehab assignment. Bart is currently on the injured list with a mild back strain.
Bart was scratched from the lineup of last Saturday's game against the New York Yankees, when he was set to make his regular-season debut. He was placed on the IL the following day and replaced by right-handed pitcher Sean Hjelle on the active roster. The team suggested it was a day-to-day injury and would not keep the backstop sidelined long, and after a week he appears ready to return to games.
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has publicly said the team needs more from Bart this season and after signing two-time All-Star catcher Gary Sánchez to a minor-league deal, the pressure is mounting. The Sánchez signing only fueled speculation that San Francisco plans to move on from Bart at some point this season.
Bart made his big-league debut during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The Georgia Tech product looked overmatched against MLB pitching, striking out 41 times in 111 plate appearances with zero home runs and just three walks. While the Giants hoped to make him the everyday catcher, he was optioned to the minors by the end of the season. In 2021, with legend Buster Posey back on the roster, Bart spent most of the season at Triple-A.
Bart showed off his impressive power on several occasions last season, blasting 11 home runs in 297 plate appearances. However, his issues with contact continued to generate prolonged slumps. He finished the season with 112 strikeouts and a .215/.296/.364 triple-slash. Now heading back to Sacramento, the SF Giants hope Joey Bart is ready to live up to expectations after a short stint at Triple-A.
