Matt Gage’s journey has come full circle in a baseball odyssey that spans eight organizations, two major league debuts, international leagues, and a relentless pursuit of a dream. On July 2, 2025, the San Francisco Giants announced that Gage, their former 10th-round draft pick in 2014, has signed a minor league contract and been assigned to Triple-A Sacramento . This move marks a significant moment—not just for the Giants’ organizational storylines, but for Gage himself, a veteran left-handed reliever striving to translate sporadic major league success into sustained performance.
Gage’s baseball narrative is one of perseverance. Selected out of Siena College in the 10th round, he spent 2014–2017 within the Giants’ system, gradually working through Single-A Augusta, Double-A Richmond, and Triple-A Sacramento. His early years showed potential: in 2016, he posted a 3.38 ERA in Double-A over 136 innings, and in 2017, he was named a midseason all-star in Richmond (. Despite this progress, he never cracked the majors with the Giants and was released midseason 2018—his first organizational departure, a pivotal turning point.
Unfazed, Gage signed with the Mets, but a 5.16 ERA at Double-A and Triple-A in 2018 led to another release and a detour to the Mexican League with Diablos Rojos del México in 2019. With a 10–4 record and 5.57 ERA in 118 innings, Gage proved durable but did not dominate (. The 2020 minor league cancellation due to COVID forced him to the independent Constellation Energy League, where he posted a 3.07 ERA. Free agency after 2020 led him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021; there, primarily as a reliever, he combined for a 4–1 record and 4.14 ERA in 45 innings across Double-A and Triple-A .
Gage’s first real shot at the majors came in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays. Invited to spring training, he began the season strong in Triple-A Buffalo, where he endured a 1.08 ERA in relief over 33 innings. The Jays called him up on June 6, and he debuted that night against the Royals with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts, including working out of a jam (. Across 11 appearances that summer, he produced a 1.38 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 13 innings—performance that signaled potential MLB longevity. His rapid success drew admiration from fans and analysts. One Astros Reddit fan praised his “boring” fastball-cutter mix, acknowledging that Gage “locates it really well” .
Despite this success, Blue Jays cleared him off the 40-man roster in January 2023. The Houston Astros promptly claimed him. In Houston, he contributed infrequently—a 2.70 ERA in 6⅔ innings across five relief appearances—before another waiver move in January 2024 cleared space for Josh Hader . His departure sparked debate among Astros fans; one wrote, “Gage was head and shoulders better than Mushinski last season” . That high praise came from his steady ERA and WHIP despite small sample fluctuations.
Claimed by the Yankees in late January 2024, Gage did not appear in the Bronx and was dealt to the Dodgers in early February (e. With Triple-A Oklahoma City, he put up a 4.48 ERA, prompting his release and re-signing on a minor league deal in April (. In July, the Dodgers added him to the 40-man to prevent him opting out—yet he remained in Triple-A, ending the year at 1–3 with a 4.29 ERA in 20 games
In July 2024, Gage was traded to the New York Mets. He spent the remainder of the season in Triple-A Syracuse, compiling a 3.92 ERA in 20 appearances before electing free agency in November . Twists and turns marked his offseason: December 2024 saw him sign with the Detroit Tigers on a minor league pact and spring invite . Assigned to Triple-A Toledo, Gage posted a 1.67 ERA with 28 strikeouts and just four walks in 23 appearances—statistics that earned him a promotion on June 12, 2025 .
Gage’s stint in Detroit was brief but brilliant. Over six relief appearances, he threw 5⅔ shutout innings, surrendering just seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts . In Detroit Jock City, one analyst noted: “He made six appearances … posting a perfect 0.00 ERA” (). Yet on June 26, the Tigers designated him for assignment to make room for fellow lefty Dietrich Enns ( Gage cleared waivers and entered free agency on July 1 .
Within a day, the Giants re-signed him—reprising the organization that launched his pro career . MLB Trade Rumors noted that Gage, at age 32, has a major league ERA of 1.42 over 25⅓ innings and, in 2025 Triple-A, pitched 32⅓ innings with a 1.67 ERA, elite strikeout (22.8%) and walk (3.3%) rates . These metrics underscore his value as a high-leverage left-handed reliever.
What makes Gage special isn’t elite velocity—his fourseamer sat at 91.9 mph in 2025—but his cutter, slider, and ability to limit hard contact . Analysts point to his cutter-locate consistency and the recent improvements in command as key to maintaining his major league edge .
Giants’ bullpen depth factored heavily into their decision. Erik Miller, one of their two lefties, is effective but marred by control hiccups (22 walks and hit batters vs. 22 strikeouts) . Joey Lucchesi has just six MLB innings with three runs allowed (m. Bringing in Gage affords the Giants a third lefty option with major league seasoning and upside. He’ll start at Triple-A Sacramento, but his recent form warrants serious consideration for a call-up if the Giants need bullpen reinforcement in the playoff push (.
The story behind Gage’s return holds more resonance. Drafted by San Francisco, he was released in 2018, only to forge a path of persistent effort across multiple levels, countries, and teams. Now, a decade later, the organization that first invested in him is giving him another shot. Giants insiders describe the signing as both sentimental and strategic .
His career MLB numbers are impressive in limited form: 1.42 ERA across 25⅓ innings and 23 strikeouts, with an impressive 22.5% strikeout rate and 10.8% walk rate in 2025’s big-league work . Though he’s never stayed long in the majors, his recent dominance in both Triple-A and MLB flashes the consistency scouts look for.
As he reports to Triple-A Sacramento, Gage will be evaluated not only for his performance, but also for how he manages high-leverage spots. The Giants’ bullpen sits in a crowded NL Wild Card race alongside the Mets, Brewers, Padres, Cardinals, Reds, and D-backs; adding experienced lefty depth could prove decisive .
Veterans like Gage often bring more than pure stats. One Dodgers Reddit thread captured fan affection:“MATT GAGE I LOVE THAT GUY … super nice … took the time to sign for like 45 people and genuinely seemed so happy” (. His reputation as a upbeat, team-oriented presence aligns with the Giants’ culture.
Professionally, Gage’s pitch mix is his calling card. His fastball-cutter, complemented by a slider, gives him a soft-contact profile—exactly the type of pitcher modern analytics teams covet in left-handed relievers It’s precisely the kind of arm vulnerable to being overlooked due to modest velocity, yet capable of big-league success.
His story also highlights the evolving nature of MLB depth arms. In earlier years, Gage was a starting prospect, struggling to stick against high minor-league hitters. After shifting to relief, his ERA and pitcher profile improved, and as analytics embraced peripheral stats like strikeout-to-walk ratio and spin efficiency, Gage’s value rose. His career reflects the shift to valuing command and pitch mix over pure stuff.
From the Giants’ perspective, this is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move. Bringing back a former draftee who knows the organization and has thrived since leaving offers upside without financial risk. A strong Triple-A showing could lead to a major league call, and if Gage can deliver consistent lefty relief, he may revitalize a career that has often hovered on the edge.
At age 32, Gage is in a mature phase of his career, finally showing signs of stabilization in both the majors and minors. A stellar 2025 campaign—be it in Sacramento or San Francisco—could redefine him as a permanent left-handed bullpen fixture.
His signing reflects broader MLB dynamics: teams increasingly seek experienced relievers who don’t fit the stereotypical power-profile but bring pitch quality and finesse. In Gage’s 4.64 Triple-A ERA career, his 316⅓ innings of 20.9% strikeouts and 8.1% walks foreshadowed this type of pitcher—but improvements in command this year (22.8% K, 3.3% BB in Triple-A) have shifted him into legitimate MLB contention .
In San Francisco’s tight Wild Card race, bullpen effectiveness could be the margin between postseason inclusion or exclusion. Gage adds depth, veteran savvy, and a left-handed arm with a demonstrated ability to miss bats and limit walks—intangibles that could spark a call-up, perhaps even before the trade deadline.
For fans of perseverance, Gage’s return symbolizes that baseball dreams don’t die easy. He’s traveled via Giants, Mets, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Astros, Yankees, Dodgers, Mets again, Tigers, and now back to the Giants. He has played winter ball, independent ball, Mexican circuits, and held firm through demotions, releases, and waiver claims—all without giving up. His 1.42 ERA through three MLB stints is testament to his commitment and adaptability.
As he marches into Sacramento, his goal is clear: outperform expectations, earn a midseason call, and finally stick in a major league bullpen. The Giants are betting he can do it.
That’s the essence of the moment: a full-circle return, a tenacious veteran, and a crucial component of a team fighting for a postseason berth. Matt Gage’s story speaks to baseball’s enduring promise—a chance at redemption, even after countless obstacles. The next chapter begins in the Bay, with Gage donning the Giants once again, determined to prove that some careers are defined not just by peak performance, but by the heart to keep climbing.
