Luis Matos DFA: Giants still weighing the next move as Opening Day roster locks in

luis matos was designated for assignment last week as the San Francisco Giants set their Opening Day roster, a decision that looked like a clean break but may not be the final word. The move was made ahead of the season opener against the New York Yankees in San Francisco, with the club prioritizing a bench mix built around speed and late-inning defense. As of the latest official timetable tied to the designation on March 25, the Giants have a narrow window to explore a trade before the situation shifts to waivers.

What the Giants did, and the deadline pressure now in play

The Giants officially designated luis matos for assignment on March 25, triggering a five-day period for the team to try to work out a trade. If no deal is reached in that timeframe, the club would need to place him on waivers, where another team could claim him.

If he goes unclaimed, the path remains for him to stay in the organization: he can be outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento. Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said the club “would love to have Matos back if he clears waivers, ” framing the decision as roster math rather than a complete organizational exit.

Luis Matos decision tied directly to Jared Oliva’s Opening Day role

The roster squeeze had a clear beneficiary: Jared Oliva made the Giants’ Opening Day roster after a standout spring that included a. 375 batting average, a. 994 OPS, and 14 stolen bases in Cactus League play. The Giants parted with a former top prospect by designating luis matos for assignment so they could add Oliva’s skills to a bench designed to support an established lineup with speed and late-inning defense rather than pinch hitting.

Posey emphasized the human side of the decision, calling the days leading into roster deadlines “hard conversations, ” while describing Oliva’s selection as a “bright spot. ” “To a man, you go in the coaches’ room or in the locker room, everybody’s behind J. O. and thrilled that he’s on the team, ” Posey said. “With a lot of hard conversations the last few days, that one stood out as a real bright spot, to tell him he was on the team. ”

Giants manager Tony Vitello described Oliva’s reaction as “excited and intense, ” adding that when Oliva reflected on the work it took to reach an Opening Day setting, “then it got different. ” Vitello added, “I think he’s earned it. ”

Immediate reactions inside the clubhouse: what, and what they did not

The Giants had to trim three healthy players while setting the Opening Day roster, ultimately keeping Jerar Encarnacion and Oliva over Matos. The team also chose Rule 5 draftee Daniel Susac as the backup catcher over veteran Eric Haase, who had an opt-out and was granted his release. In the bullpen decisions, the Giants purchased the contract of right-hander Caleb Kilian and reassigned right-hander Michael Fulmer to Sacramento.

Posey and Vitello did not provide specifics on bullpen roles at the time of roster setting, leaving deployment questions open even as the position-player choices became official.

Quick context on why this may not be the end

Even after the designation, the Giants have a stated interest in retaining Matos if he clears waivers, and Posey pointed to the value of added outfield depth. The organization also has outfield options in Triple-A, including Grant McCray, Will Brennan, and Drew Gilbert, shaping the playing-time reality that made the roster decision so tight.

What’s next: trade talks, waivers, or a return to Sacramento

The next step is procedural and time-bound: the Giants can try to trade Matos within the five-day window that began with the March 25 designation; if not, waivers follow. The outcome will determine whether another club claims him, or whether luis matos remains with the Giants organization and heads to Triple-A Sacramento, a scenario Posey has openly said the team would welcome if it becomes available.