PHILADELPHIA — The first catcher that Gregory Santos ever threw to when he made his major league debut in April 2021 was Curt Casali. The second: Buster Posey.

A lot has changed since Santos’ last major league appearance as a Giant on July 25, 2022. Posey is the team’s president of baseball operations, while Casali serves as an advisor to baseball operations.

As for Santos? He’s once again a Giant, his contract having been selected from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Santos, who had a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings with Sacramento, through team interpreter Erwin Higueros. “It’s something that I was not expecting. I did not know I was going to come over here, but it’s a great feeling just to be back again.”

In a corresponding move, right-hander Blade Tidwell was optioned to Sacramento.

The Giants acquired Santos (and right-hander Shaun Anderson) on July 26, 2017, in exchange for infielder Eduardo Núñez, and Santos pitched his way into being one of the organization’s better pitching prospects.

Santos only made five appearances for San Francisco in 2021 and 2022 (he was suspended in June 2021 for 80 games after testing positive for the banned substance Stanozolol) and was designated for assignment in December 2022.

The right-hander found success with the White Sox, posting a 3.39 ERA over 66 1/3 innings, but injuries limited him to just 14 1/3 innings in 2024 and 2025.

Santos signed a minor league contract with the Giants this past offseason and impressed early during spring training, but missed several weeks due to a personal matter. After a solid start with the River Cats, Santos is back with the team with which he made his debut.

“I think I’ve been pitching very well, controlling the zone, attacking the hitters and just creating a lot of contact,” Santos said.

Manager Tony Vitello said Tidwell, who tossed two innings on Tuesday, will get back into a starter’s routine with Sacramento, noting that the team could have him stretched out and ready for a potential spot start.

“It’ll be fun to see (Tidwell) back with that group and see if those guys can gain strength,” Vitello said. “This is a spot I think a lot of people have thought Santos, at the very least, will have a shot and a good chance of making. an impact.”