Giants manager Tony Vitello makes debut at last in jump from college ranks to big leagues

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tony Vitello turned down the basket of pastries during his morning coaches' meeting on opening day, and that became an immediate victory in his book.

“You want as many wins as possible in a day. I avoided one of those pastries, and they all looked pretty deadly, so I'm at least 1-0 today," Vitello said ahead of his managerial debut Wednesday with the San Francisco Giants against the Yankees.

There was still important work to do even hours before first pitch. Vitello needed a few refreshers on the major league rules book.

Even on the day of the season opener, San Francisco's new manager acknowledged the learning won't stop anytime soon as he makes the leap from college baseball to the big leagues.

“Just reviewing a lot of things today, so some extra conversations,” he said. “I've done it before, get the group together and ask as many dumb questions as possible. You'd rather look foolish earlier than later.”

Asked about any nerves and whether he slept well ahead of this career milestone, Vitello chuckled and joked, “Yeah, do I look nervous?”

“No, I'm just teasing. I answered this question several times today. It took a while to get to sleep but that's kind of the norm for me when we play a night game,” he said. “You get out of here at whatever time and then you'd like some cool-down time and reflect on the day and also start looking toward tomorrow. Then once I was out I was out. Patience pays.”

The 47-year-old mades the big jump from coaching the University of Tennessee to the top dugout step with a storied franchise determined to return to the playoffs following a four-year absence.

His family is visiting and has helped with Vitello's car and condo.

“People taking weight off my shoulders,” he said.

And the manager is finding some comfort in his new surroundings, saying “I like living here.”

Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has been impressed. He made the unconventional hire of Vitello to replace the fired Bob Melvin and credited Vitello for his thoughtfulness when having the tough conversations with players about roster decisions.

“He's a relationship-maker type of person,” Posey said. “I think the first time going through this having to bond with guys for six weeks or more and then say, ‘Hey, you’re not on the team' was not something that was easy for him, and I personally really appreciate that because sometimes I think in the professional ranks of things it's, ‘Hey, it's part of the business, it's part of the business,' which it is but also you're not only impacting that individual you're impacting families as well. So I'm appreciative that he is thoughtful as far as what the impact is on decisions that we make.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone realizes the scrutiny and pressure Vitello will face. They met briefly at the winter meetings in December and Boone cherishes the managerial fraternity.

“Look, everyone's got a different path. He came in with a lot more experience coaching and managing and things like that than I did — obviously managing really successfully, or head coaching really successfully in the college ranks,” Boone said. “I know he's obviously had a ton of success and earned the opportunity and the right to be here.”

And in fitting fashion, the energetic Vitello skipped out of an iconic San Francisco cable car in his No. 23 jersey during pregame introductions and lined up on the field alongside his players, ready to get going.

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San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello during a news conference ahead of MLB Opening Night game against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello walks on the field before a baseball game against the New York Yankees in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello during a news conference ahead of MLB Opening Night game against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford started the season on the 10-day injured list while right-hander Bryce Miller opened on the 15-day IL as the team got down to the 26-man active limit Wednesday.

Crawford, 31, has been Seattle's starting shortstop for opening day each of the last seven seasons and is the franchise's longest-tenured player. He was limited to seven spring training games due to a right shoulder injury and batted .143 with no extra-base hits.

Manager Dan Wilson said Crawford got some at-bats on Wednesday during a minor league spring training game and has begun a throwing program.

“It’s progressing like it should," Wilson said. "I think we’ll be in a good spot.”

Last season, Crawford hit .265 with 12 home runs, 58 RBIs and a .722 OPS.

Leo Rivas is expected to receive most of the starts at shortstop, according to Wilson. The 28-year-old hit .244 with two home runs in 90 at-bats last season in a utility role. The Mariners sided with Rivas over top prospect Colt Emerson, who impressed during spring but was reassigned to minor league camp.

“He’s a guy that plays shortstop very well defensively, and we’ve seen him have some great at-bats, some big at-bats for us," Wilson said. "The switch-hitting is kind of a nice plus for him, too. Although we will miss JP, I think Leo will do a great job filling in until JP gets back.”

Miller, 27, dealt with a left oblique injury throughout spring training. He ended a bullpen session early two weeks ago after feeling discomfort in his left oblique.

Miller threw a handful of warmup pitches on March 11, took a break and then elected not to throw any full-effort pitches. He remains at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona, and will continue to build up arm strength. Miller has thrown two bullpen sessions since the one he cut short.

“I think the next step is getting some hitters in the box and that ramps things up a little bit more," Wilson said. “Once he passes that hurdle, then I think it’s getting a chance to get in games, whether that’s down here, whether that’s up here remains to be seen.”

Miller and the Mariners avoided arbitration in January when he agreed to a one-year contract that includes a 2027 club option. The 27-year-old was 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 18 regular-season starts last year, when he earned $800,000. He was on the injured list with right elbow inflammation from May 14-31 and from June 10-Aug. 19. Miller was 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA in the postseason.

Miller is 24-21 with a 4.01 ERA in 74 starts over three major league seasons. Right-hander Emerson Hancock, who started a career-high 16 games last season and went 4-5 in 2025 with a 4.90 ERA, will take Miller's place in the starting rotation.

Utility infielder Miles Mastrobuoni, who injured a calf while playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, also began the season on the 10-day IL. Mastrobuoni hit .250 with one home run and 12 RBIs across 152 at-bats last season in a part-time role.

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FILE - Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series in Seattle, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

FILE - Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford celebrates in the dugout after scoring off a single hit by Josh Naylor during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)