ZACK LITTELL NEWS

Scoreless streak ends Littell allowed two runs on a hit and a hit batter in one inning during Tuesday's 12-10 win over Atlanta.

Impact Littell hit Michael Harris with a pitch and then surrendered a two-run home run to Ronald Acuna in the fourth inning. That briefly gave Atlanta the lead, but San Francisco pulled ahead in the sixth and held on from there to spare Littell a loss. He's given up four runs in his last 10.1 innings, and he's still looking a little shaky with a 5.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 22:3 K:BB across 26 innings overall. The right-hander has added a 1-2 record and three holds, but with six homers allowed, he'll need to work on keeping the ball in the yard to find more success.

JUNE 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Handed loss Tuesday Littell (1-2) allowed two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Rockies.

Impact Littell allowed consecutive singles to Jose Iglesias and Randal Grichuk before getting an out. Charlie Blackmon then entered as a pinch hitter for the Rockies, and manager Gabe Kapler responded with Jose Alvarez on the mound, who promptly allowed both inherited runners from Littell to score on a home run. Prior to Tuesday, the right-hander had pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in his last four appearances. He's now at a 5.40 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB in 21.2 innings overall.

JUNE 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Credited with win Littell (1-1) earned the win Friday over the Marlins. He allowed a hit and struck out four in two innings.

Impact The Giants went with a bullpen game Friday, but their offense established a large lead early. Littell pitched the fifth and sixth innings in this contest. He's gone 5.2 innings without allowing a run over his last four appearances as he continues to bounce back from a rough May. Overall, the right-hander has a 4.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB through 21.1 innings in a versatile middle-innings role.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Throws clean inning Littell pitched a perfect inning in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Mets.

Impact Littell has struggled for much of May. He's allowed 11 runs on 18 hits and two walks across 10.2 innings in his nine appearances this month after keeping runs off the board in all six of his April outings. The right-hander's struggles have left him with a 5.94 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB across 16.2 innings. He's added two holds and an 0-1 record, but he's seen mostly low-leverage work lately.

MAY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers loss in return Littell (0-1) was tagged with the loss against St. Louis on Thursday, pitching two innings and allowing one run on two hits while striking out three.

Impact Littell missed over a week while on the COVID-19 injured list, but he was activated Thursday and immediately thrust into action in a bullpen game for the Giants. The right-hander was the second pitcher to appear for San Francisco, and he was the only hurler on the team to complete two full innings. Littell looked good by throwing 26 of 36 pitches for strikes and fanning three, but a Yadier Molina solo homer in the third inning was enough to have him tagged with the loss. The run was the first allowed by Littell in seven appearances this season.

MAY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated from COVID-19 list Littell (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Impact Littell landed on the injured list April 26 and reportedly experienced mild symptoms. Prior to being sidelined, he had not allowed an earned run across six innings while striking out five and walking none in a relief role.

MAY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tests positive for COVID-19 Littell was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday after testing positive for the virus, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact Littell officially landed on the shelf without an injury designation prior to Tuesday's win over the A's, but manager Gabe Kapler clarified the right-hander's outlook after the contest. The 26-year-old is experiencing mild symptoms and will remain away from the team until he clears MLB's testing protocols.

APRIL 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on injured list Littell (undisclosed) was placed on the injured list Tuesday.

Impact The move didn't come with an injury designation, so Littell may have been placed on the COVID-19 IL. Kervin Castro was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

APRIL 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not giving up much Littell has allowed just three hits and no walks while striking out two over five innings in 2022.

Impact The right-hander pitched well in spring training, and he's carried over that success into the regular season. Littell has often entered in the middle innings, though his solid work thus far could help his case for high-leverage work. He's yet to record a decision, but he has picked up a hold in five outings.

APRIL 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in spring Littell has allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout in three innings across three Cactus League games.

Impact Littell was very effective in 2021, working in everything from an opener role to a fill-in at closer occasionally. He posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 63:24 K:BB with a 4-0 record, two saves and five holds in 61.2 innings. Entering 2022, Giants manager Gabe Kapler still hesitates to give strictly defined roles to his relievers. Jake McGee, Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers are expected to be in the closer committee, while Littell's versatility will see him often work in the middle innings. Given his 3.86 FIP from last season, he'll likely face a little regression in 2022.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns fourth victory Littell (4-0) got the win in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Atlanta, surrendering two hits with three strikeouts in one inning.

Impact Littell relieved starter Alex Wood in the fourth inning and allowed the first two batters to reach base before striking out the next three Atlanta hitters. The victory was Littell's third in September and he's allowed two runs in eight innings this month across eight appearances.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Adds third win Littell (3-0) pitched 1.2 perfect innings with two strikeouts to earn the win Monday over San Diego.

Impact The right-hander again came away with a decision in a bullpen game. Littell relieved Jarlin Garcia with one out in the fourth inning and then stayed on for the fifth in a lopsided contest. Though he's picked up just two saves and five holds, Littell has a strong 2.67 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 54 innings this season, thanks in part to a career-low 0.8 HR/9 rate and a tiny .216 BABIP.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up win Littell (2-0) got the win in Sunday's 6-4 victory over the Dodgers, striking out two in one inning of work.

Impact In another bullpen game for San Francisco, Littell was brought in with two on and none out in the second inning and was able to escape the jam unscathed. The Giants went on to score two runs in the bottom of the inning to make Littell the winner. The 25-year-old has pitched well dating back to the start of August, recording a 1.11 ERA in 16.2 innings across 12 appearances in the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes first blown save Littell allowed a run on one hit in 1.2 innings, taking a blown save in Friday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta.

Impact The right-hander allowed two inherited runners from Tony Watson to score on a Jorge Soler in the seventh inning. Littell has allowed runs in back-to-back appearances after starting August with an 8.2-inning scoreless streak. He has a 2.93 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 37:19 K:BB through 46 innings overall, while adding two saves and five holds in a versatile role.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Delivers in clutch Littell got the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Rockies, recording the final out of the ninth inning via strikeout.

Impact San Francisco entered the ninth with a 5-2 lead but closer Jake McGee served up a two-run home run and two more baserunners before Littell was called upon by manager Gabe Kapler. The 25-year-old needed just four pitches to dismiss C.J. Cron for his second save in three appearances, with a win sandwiched between them. Since being recalled Aug. 7, Littell is 1-0 with two saves and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs first win Littell (1-0) struck out the only batter he faced and earned the win Tuesday versus Arizona.

Impact After Jake McGee allowed the tying run to score in the top of the ninth inning, Littell was called upon for the final out of the frame. He then became the beneficiary of San Francisco's walkoff win. Through 37.1 innings, Littell has a 3.13 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 28:17 K:BB while logging one save and five holds. He's starting to see more high-leverage work, but he's not yet a legitimate threat to challenge for save chances.

AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Logs first career save Littell allowed just one walk and struck out one over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over Milwaukee.

Impact After getting called up Saturday, Littell was able to spare a San Francisco bullpen that had been leaned on heavily throughout the series versus Milwaukee. The right-hander protected a one-run lead for two innings to notch his first major-league save and just his third save at any level of professional baseball. Littell has a 3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB through 37 innings this season, as well as five holds. He's not likely to see additional save chances going forward.

AUGUST 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Called up Saturday Littell was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact Littell was sent down in late July after he gave up three runs in one inning against the Pirates, but he had tossed 6.1 scoreless frames across his six previous outings. He's posted a 3.44 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 34 innings with the Giants this year and will provide an extra arm out of the bullpen after outfielder Steven Duggar was sent down Saturday.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Littell was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Littell has been a decent bullpen option this season with a 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB over 34 innings, but he'll head to the minors Tuesday. The right-hander could rejoin the Giants later in the year when additional bullpen depth is needed.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scoreless streak ends Littell allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one in one inning versus Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Impact Littell entered Saturday with a scoreless streak at 6.1 innings, but Pittsburgh rallied against him in the eighth inning of a lopsided contest. The right-hander hadn't allowed multiple runs in an appearance since June 15, which was one of his two turns as an opener this season. Overall, he has a 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB across 34 innings while adding five holds in 38 outings.

JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Logs fifth hold Littell walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Friday's 5-3 win over Washington. He earned a hold.

Impact Littell has settled in a bit since a disastrous turn as an opener June 15. In his 11 appearances since then, the reliever has a 2.89 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB across 9.1 innings. The right-hander continues to see low-leverage assignments mostly, but he's now picked up five holds with a 3.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 27.2 innings this year. With a 4.65 FIP, Littell may struggle to continue producing similar results.

JULY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Posts clean inning Littell pitched a perfect inning in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact Since an ugly turn as an opener June 15 versus Arizona, Littell has bounced back relatively well. He's allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in six innings across his last seven outings. The right-hander has been reasonably effective in a low-leverage role with a 3.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings. Littell may not be able to sustain those ratios -- a .235 BABIP has helped limit the damage against him so far this year.

JUNE 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lit up as opener Littell allowed four runs on four hits and two walks without recording an out Tuesday against Arizona. He did not factor in the decision.

Impact The Diamondbacks couldn't have asked for a better offensive start in the contest, collecting four singles and a pair of walks while scoring four times before Littell was lifted without recording an out. The right-hander was working as an opener and wasn't expected to pitch very long, but his inability to retire any batters still qualifies as a disaster despite the fact that the Giants eventually came back to win. It remains to be seen how Littell will be deployed going forward, though it wouldn't be surprising if he's no longer asked to open games given the outcome Tuesday.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Working as opener again The Giants announced that Littell will serve as their opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Impact Though the team didn't say so officially, Sam Long will almost certainly serve as the primary pitcher behind Littell after the two were effective while working in succession June 9 in Texas. After Littell tossed a scoreless first inning, Long followed with four innings of one-run ball. The Giants likely won't ask Littell to record more than three to six outs Tuesday before he gives way to Long.

JUNE 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scoreless inning as opener Littell allowed a walk and struck out one in one inning as the opener in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to Texas. He did not factor in the decision.

Impact Littell got the game going in a positive manner with a fairly strong inning. Wednesday was his first major-league start since 2018. He's been an effective option out of the bullpen with a 1.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 17.1 innings this season. The 25-year-old has also picked up four holds, but he remains behind at least Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee when it comes to closing duties.

JUNE 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE