SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 The monsoon of memories flowed through Tyler Rogers\u2019 mind.<\/p>\n
Rogers appeared in 196 regular-season games at Oracle Park over seven seasons, plus two more in the postseason. Every one of those appearances was as a San Francisco Giant. But for the first time in his career, Tyler Rogers, now a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, will have an opportunity to take the mound as a visitor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is new,\u201d Rogers said at his locker in the visitors\u2019 clubhouse. \u201cFirst time over here on this side, that\u2019s for sure. But, I\u2019m excited. I got to see some of the guys just now. Kind of going through memory lane a little bit until the game starts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of last year\u2019s trade deadline, the Giants flipped Rogers to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-hander Blade Tidwell. And as things stand, San Francisco\u2019s bullpen could desperately use someone like the submariner.<\/p>\n
Entering play, the Giants\u2019 bullpen ranks 23rd in the majors in ERA (4.54), 21st in FIP (4.48) and 28th in strikeout-to-walk ratio this season. Since May, specifically, San Francisco\u2019s relievers have a 5.22 ERA (25th) and 4.80 FIP (26th) while being worth -1.2 WAR, according to FanGraphs.<\/p>\n
An offseason reunion made sense for the Giants even after the trade, but a deal with Rogers never materialized. When asked whether he spoke with the Giants, Rogers said he\u2019d leave the question up to president of baseball operations Buster Posey and general manager Zack Minasian.<\/p>\n
Would Rogers have wanted to come back to San Francisco?<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing into free agency, I was open to all 30 teams,\u201d Rogers said.<\/p>\n
While San Francisco\u2019s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions. Heading into Monday, the 35-year-old Rogers ranks ninth in ERA (1.77) among all qualified relievers while tied for fifth in appearances.<\/p>\n
\u201cToronto\u2019s been great for me and my family,\u201d said Rogers, who had a 2.79 ERA over 396 2\/3 innings with San Francisco. \u201cIt\u2019s been really an easy transition. Couldn\u2019t be happier with where I landed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rogers isn\u2019t the only former Giant currently playing for the Blue Jays.<\/p>\n
Kevin Gausman, an All-Star with San Francisco in 2021, started on Monday, which will be his second appearance at Oracle Park since departing in free agency. Since 2022, Gausman ranks fourth in WAR (19.7) among all starters. Right ahead of Gausman is former teammate Logan Webb, whose 21.0 WAR is second over that span.<\/p>\n