The Giants optioned Matos to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

For much of spring training, Matos looked to be in good position to win an Opening Day roster spot while Austin Slater (elbow) missed time, but Slater was cleared to make a start in the outfield earlier this week at the tail end of the Giants' exhibition schedule and ended up avoiding a stint on the injured list. As a result, Matos found himself as the odd man out for a roster berth and will now head to Sacramento, where he should play on an everyday basis.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday that Matos could make the Opening Day roster as Austin Slater is still having elbow issues, Brian Murphy of KNBR 680 reports.

EDGE Analysis

The signing of Jorge Soler seemed to put Matos out of a starting job and roster spot. However, with Slater out indefinitely, the Giants need another outfielder and Matos is at the top of the list. The 22-year-old has been terrific this spring, putting up a 1.013 OPS with four home runs. Matos would figure to be limited to a short-side platoon initially but could play his way into a larger role.

Matos is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

If this were a true meritocracy, Matos, who is slashing .256/.326/.615 with three home runs, one steal and an 11.6 percent strikeout rate in 43 plate appearances this spring, would likely make the team as a starter over one of Michael Conforto or Mike Yastrzemski. However, Conforto is due $18 million this year and Yastrzemski is earning $7.9 million this year via arbitration. The Giants could keep Matos on the roster in a part-time role, but Austin Slater is already ticketed for fourth outfielder duty and Tyler Fitzgerald is expected to get the final bench spot due to his defensive versatility. If an outfield spot opens up due to an injury or poor performance early in the season, Matos would be the obvious candidate to get the call.

Matos may see time in center field until Austin Slater (elbow) is ready to play, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Previous projections had Matos as the everyday left fielder, but the addition of Jorge Soler at designated hitter will have a ripple effect with Michael Conforto needing an outfield spot on at least a platoon basis. Jung Hoo Lee still figures to get most of the time in center field, and it's possible Matos ends up functioning more like a fourth outfielder unless he wins a starting role out of camp. As long as Matos makes the team, he should be in the lineup regularly versus left-handed pitchers, though it's unclear how much manager Bob Melvin will rely on platoons to balance playing time in a deep outfield.

The Giants plan for Matos to be their starting left fielder this season, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baggarly writes that San Francisco is content with a "semi-stable" outfield of Matos in left, Jung Hoo Lee in center and a platoon of Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater in right. That would leave Michael Conforto as the primary designated hitter against right-handers, with Wilmer Flores getting most of his starts versus lefties. Blake Sabol could also be a factor in left field against tougher righties. Matos posted a .661 OPS in 76 games in 2023, but he just turned 22 and slashed .331/.401/.543 between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento.

Matos is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matos finds himself on the bench for the third time in the San Francisco's past four games while Tyler Fitzgerald receives another start in center field.

Matos remains out of the lineup Friday versus the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

San Francisco will ride the hot hand with Tyler Fitzgerald, who is making a second straight start in center field after hitting a double and drawing a bases-loaded walk Thursday in his major-league debut. Matos has gone 3-for-20 with one walk and three strikeouts over his last seven games.

Matos isn't in the Giants' lineup Thursday against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matos is just 1-for-11 across hist last four games, so the Giants will give him a day off Thursday to regroup. The newly-promoted Tyler Fitzgerald will make his major-league debut in center field and bat ninth while Matos rests.

Matos isn't in the Giants' lineup Tuesday against Arizona, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matos is slashing .344/.400/.406 since returning from Triple-A Sacramento on Sept. 6, and he'll take a seat to begin San Francisco's series with the D-backs. Mike Yastrzemski will shift to center field while Matos rests, allowing Mitch Haniger to start in left while batting sixth.

Matos is out of the lineup Sunday versus the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Matos had started in every game since Sept. 6. That was when he was summoned back to the big leagues, and he has gone 11-for-32 since while registering an .806 OPS.