SF Giants sign Andrew Knapp to major-league deal, utility man Cavan Biggio to minor-league deal

The Giants announced on Friday afternoon that they have signed catcher Andrew Knapp, who played three games with the team in 2022, to a one-year, major-league contract. Additionally, San Francisco has signed utility man Cavan Biggio to a minor-league deal, according to multiple reports.

Catcher Jakson Reetz was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, leaving Knapp and Curt Casali as the Giants’ catching tandem at the moment. Knapp is slated to bat ninth and serve as rookie Hayden Birdsong’s catcher as they begin a three-game set with the Mariners in Seattle.

Earlier this week, the Giants placed a struggling Patrick Bailey on the injured list with a right oblique strain. Prior to landing on the injured list, Bailey had a slash line of .115/.157/.135 over 27 games in the second half. Bailey will begin baseball activities this weekend in Seattle.

Knapp, 32, has not appeared in the majors since his brief time in San Francisco in 2022. Prior to re-joining the Giants, Knapp spent time with the Triple-A affiliates of the Astros (2023), Tigers (2023) and Rangers (2024).

Drafted in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of Cal, Knapp has spent parts of six seasons in the majors and owns a career .623 OPS over 325 games. Behind the plate, Knapp has been worth -31 defensive runs saved.

Biggio, 29, was released by the Dodgers earlier this month. In 74 games with the Dodgers and Blue Jays this season, Biggio hit .197/.316/.306 with five home runs, 19 RBIs and two steals. Biggo’s most productive major-league season was as a rookie in 2019 when he hit 16 home runs, swiped 14 bases and had a .793 OPS for Toronto, but he hasn’t matched that production in any subsequent season.

Over 520 career games, Biggio owns a career slash line of .225/.341/.379 with 51 home runs and 32 steals. Biggio is primarily an infielder, having played 253 games at second base, 94 games at third base, 85 games at first base and one lone game at shortstop. He’s also played 93 games across all three outfield positions, most of his time being in right field (85 games).

Injury updates

• Tristan Beck (vascular injury) is scheduled to pitch tonight for Triple-A Sacramento. He has made three rehab appearances for the River Cats, allowing five earned runs over nine innings with 11 strikeouts.
• Tyler Matzek (left elbow strain) threw yesterday and is scheduled to throw again on Sunday as he continues his rehab assignment with Sacramento.
• Tom Murphy (left knee sprain) is rehabbing in San Francisco and will begin a running progression today. He will also continue his hitting and throwing progressions.
• Randy Rodríguez (right elbow inflammation) is also continuing to rehab in San Francisco, but he has yet to begin throwing.