Manaea allowed a run on one hit and struck out two over 1.1 innings in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was initially lined up to start Tuesday, but the Giants opted to go with John Brebbia as an opener. Manaea then appeared in the second inning and got four outs in what amounted to a bullpen game for San Francisco. With a 6.61 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings, it wouldn't be surprising to see the 31-year-old southpaw end up as a bulk reliever against some righty-heavy lineups later in the season. Manager Gabe Kapler is no stranger to using an opener, though it was typically out of necessity with a banged-up rotation in 2022. Since Manaea stayed on his typical schedule, he should be tentatively expected to make his next appearance in Houston next week.

Manaea, who had been on turn to take the hill Tuesday against the Cardinals, isn't expected to make a start during the Giants' three-game series with St. Louis, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Due to the Cardinals' right-handed-heavy lineup, Giants manager Gabe Kapler seems content to optimize matchups by pushing the left-handed Manaea to the back of the team's pitching schedule. Manaea could still be available out of the bullpen for the series in St. Louis, though Kapler would presumably look to spare him from facing off against the right-handed trio of Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras. John Brebbia is scheduled to serve as an opening pitcher Tuesday, with right-hander Jakob Junis looking like the top candidate to cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen once Brebbia exits the contest. Right-handers Anthony DeSclafani and Logan Webb are slated to start the final two games of the series versus the Cardinals.

Manaea (0-1) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings against the Mets. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea has struggled so far this season, posting a 6.60 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Furthermore, the southpaw has not completed the fourth inning in either of his last two starts. The former Padre is tentatively slated to face the Cardinals at home in his next appearance, which will be an important chance to rebound from these last two performances.

Manaea didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-5 extra-innings loss to the Tigers, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 3.1 innings while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran lefty needed 82 pitches (53 strikes) to record just 10 outs and exited the game with the Giants down 2-1. Manaea was taken off the hook for the loss when J.D. Davis (leg) went yard in the eighth to tie things up and force extra innings. Manaea has a 13:4 K:BB in 11.1 innings over his first three appearances (two starts) this season, but that comes with a 4.76 ERA and 4.70 FIP. He'll remain in the rotation for now and lines up for a road tilt against the Marlins next week.

Manaea did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 6-5 loss to the Royals. He struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea deserved better, but Ross Stripling and the San Francisco bullpen couldn't hold the lead after he exited. The only run Manaea allowed came in the sixth when he gave up a solo home run to Bobby Witt, and outside of that there was very little trouble for the 31-year-old southpaw. Manaea was making his first start of the year after throwing two ineffective innings of relief Monday against the White Sox, and he's forged a 4.50 ERA over his first eight frames of 2023.

Manaea will start for the Giants on Saturday against the Royals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea came out of the bullpen in his first appearance of the season Monday against the White Sox and gave up three earned runs on two hits and two walks over two innings of work. Now he steps into a rotation spot, at least for the time being. Giants manager Gabe Kapler has been noncommittal about steadily deploying a six-man starting mix.

Manaea could be used as a piggyback pitcher behind starter Anthony DeSclafani in Monday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Gabe Kapler hasn't specifically said that the Giants will maintain a six-man rotation, so Manaea looks as though he could be deployed in tandem with DeSclafani as the team aims to coax quality innings from both pitchers. Manaea had previously been available out of the bullpen for the team's season-opening series versus the Yankees, but he went unused in all three games and should thus be capable of covering multiple innings behind DeSclafani, if needed. After a rough season in San Diego in 2022, Manaea showed some improvement in spring training, as he pitched to a 4.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 17.2 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .215 average in Cactus League play.

Manaea has allowed six earned runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out 10 over eight innings through three Cactus League starts.

EDGE Analysis

It's encouraging to see Manaea missing bats frequently, but what contact has been made against him has often landed for a hit. The 31-year-old southpaw is coming off of his worst season in the majors, in which he posted a 4.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 158 innings for the Padres. The Giants have a solid track record of getting the most out of their pitchers, but it'll be on Manaea to pitch well enough to retain his spot in what's shaping up to be a crowded competition for a place in the rotation.

Manaea signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea will remain in the NL West after spending the 2022 campaign with the Padres, going 8-9 while posting a 4.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 156 strikeouts over 158 innings in 30 appearances, including 28 starts. The 30-year-old will provide the Giants with another left-handed option in their starting rotation behind ace Logan Webb. In 2023, Manaea will look to bring his pitching numbers back down closer to his career 3.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP that he had produced over his first five seasons in the MLB prior to 2022.

Manaea (8-9) earned the win during Tuesday's 6-2 victory over San Francisco, allowing one hit and one walk with six strikeouts across six scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea put the first two Giants he faced on base before retiring the next 18 batters in order to finish with a 75 game score -- his best mark since hist first start of the season April 8. The 29-year-old pounded the zone with 50 of an efficient 66 pitches going for strikes, and he undoubtedly would've worked deeper if a playoff appearances wasn't looming. Prior to Tuesday's victory, Manaea had gone 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in 22 innings across his last six starts with San Diego falling in each contest. He concludes 2022 with a 4.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP -- the worst and second-worst marks of his career respectively -- with 156 strikeouts in 158 innings across 28 starts and 30 appearances.