NEW YORK -- It's rare that teams are able to add pitching depth in April, but the Giants swung a minor trade on Thursday to add another potential starting option.
Right-hander Cory Abbott was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a trade, with the Giants sending cash considerations the other way. To clear a roster spot, the Giants DFA'd outfielder Jaylin Davis, a former trade acquisition who once looked like he would be part of the outfield mix at Oracle Park.
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The move comes at a time when the Giants could use additional pitching depth. Alex Cobb went on the IL on Tuesday, and while the Giants are likely to go with a bullpen game to fill the rotation spot, they could use starting depth at the Triple-A level. Sean Hjelle and Jakob Junis are the only starters at Triple-A who are on the 40-man roster. Abbott will join them with the Sacramento River Cats.
After a 6-2 loss to the New York Mets, Giants manager Gabe Kapler said he has followed Abbott's career in the minors.
"With some adjustments and tweaks, he might be a nice pitcher for us, a nice piece," Kapler said.
Abbott, 26, was taken in the second round by the Chicago Cubs in 2017 when current Giants general manager Scott Harris was in their front office. The San Diego native has a 3.65 ERA in five minor league seasons with 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Abbott sailed through the low minors with good numbers but has struggled a bit in Triple-A.
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Abbott made 19 Triple-A starts last year and posted a 5.91 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. He struck out more than 12 batters per nine innings but also walked five batters per nine. Abbott made his big league debut last June against the Giants and appeared for the Cubs seven times, including one start. In 17 1/3 big league innings, he allowed 13 earned runs, walked 11 and struck out 12.
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Abbott started this season back in Triple-A and had made two relief appearances before he was DFA'd earlier this week when the Cubs added two players to their big league roster. He allowed three runs and struck out six in his first six innings this year.
Abbott threw a four-seamer, slider, curveball and changeup in his big league appearances last year, averaging 92.6 mph with his fastball.
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