Giants Reveal Opening Day Roster Ahead of Reds Showdown

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants have finalized their Opening Day roster for the 2025 season, set to kick off against the Cincinnati Reds at 1:10 p.m. PT on Thursday at Great American Ballpark.

Despite a back injury sidelining him during the final week of spring training, center fielder Jung Hoo Lee has made the roster. In a surprising decision, infielder Christian Koss will join the Giants bench in Cincinnati, approaching an opportunity that was widely expected to go to Brett Wisely.

Manager Bob Melvin‘s roster includes 13 pitchers, with just one left-hander, Erik Miller, in the bullpen. Veteran Sam Huff will step in as the backup catcher while Casey Schmitt, who is out of options, has secured his place among the 26 players. The organization opted to place catcher Tom Murphy on the 60-day injured list due to a mid-back disk herniation.

Koss, who spent last season playing mostly shortstop in the Giants’ minor league system after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox, has impressed with a .325 batting average in spring training. Koss’s versatility (he can also play second and third base and has some outfield experience) adds depth behind the starting infield comprised of LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base, Tyler Fitzgerald at second, Matt Chapman at third, and Willy Adames at shortstop.

Wisely, who has played 142 games for the Giants over the past two seasons, has struggled at the plate, finishing this spring with a .235 batting average. He has been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento alongside McCray, who returns to the minors after 37 appearances last season.

The Reds will also debut a new manager, Terry Francona, a renowned figure who previously led the Boston Red Sox to World Series victories in 2004 and 2007. Francona, bringing a wealth of experience, will look to secure his first win in Cincinnati during the season opener.

The Giants are coming off an 80-82 record, finishing last season under Melvin’s guidance after he took over from Gabe Kapler. The team made significant moves during the offseason, including signing All-Star Buster Posey to a seven-year, $182 million contract, the largest in franchise history, and acquiring starting pitcher Blake Snell.

Logan Webb, last year’s ace, is poised to take the mound on Opening Day. Webb’s performance will be crucial as the Giants look to improve and make a playoff run this season.

The Giants’ Opening Day roster features a mix of newcomers and returning players aiming to boost the team’s playoff hopes. As the team takes the field, attention will be on how they adapt to the changes and challenges of the season ahead, offering fans plenty of excitement for the upcoming matches.

For those in the Bay Area, the game can be viewed live on NBC Sports Bay Area, or through various streaming platforms including FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu, and DirectTV Stream.