The San Francisco Giants have made several roster moves as they prepare for the start of the 2022 MLB season. On Thursday, the team announced that shortstop prospect Marco Luciano and outfield prospect Luis Matos have been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to begin the season.

Luciano, who is considered one of the top 100 prospects in the game, had been vying for a spot on the Opening Day roster throughout spring training. However, the Giants have opted to start the season with veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed instead. Despite showing improvement towards the end of camp, Luciano struggled with a high strikeout rate, which has been a concern in his performance last year in Double-A and Triple-A.

In place of Luciano, the Giants will turn to Ahmed, a longtime division rival who spent his entire 10-year career with the Diamondbacks. Known for his exceptional defense, Ahmed's offensive production took a hit in recent years due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. Nevertheless, he has shown promise this spring, with an impressive slash line of .355/.459/.645 and two home runs in 37 plate appearances.

The Giants bid farewell to their beloved shortstop Brandon Crawford this offseason, and Ahmed will bring a similar skill set to the table, albeit three years younger. The organization sees him as a solid replacement, especially given his defensive prowess and the flexibility to adjust playing time if needed.

Additionally, the Giants selected the contract of right-hander Landen Roupp, who will make the Opening Day roster. Roupp, a 12th-round pick in the 2021 draft, impressed with a 1.74 ERA and a high strikeout rate in Double-A last season. His impressive performance in spring training, where he allowed only two runs on two hits and four walks with 13 strikeouts in eight innings, earned him the promotion to the big leagues.

On the injury front, righties Sean Hjelle and Alex Cobb have been placed on the 15-day injured list as expected. Lefty Erik Miller has been recalled from Triple-A to bolster the pitching staff. Furthermore, catcher/outfielder Cooper Hummel has been designated for assignment. Hummel has shown potential in Triple-A, but his major league numbers have been underwhelming. The team will have the option to trade him or place him on outright waivers within the next week.

In a surprising move, the Giants have also placed lefty Ethan Small on the 60-day injured list, citing an undisclosed injury. The organization aims to provide him with sufficient time to recover and continue his development.

Lastly, the Giants have released infielder Pablo Sandoval, who had a memorable career with the team. Sandoval, known affectionately as "Kung Fu Panda," had a remarkable run with the Giants during their World Series-winning years in 2010, 2012, and 2014. The 37-year-old received a warm sendoff from fans during the team's final spring training game at Oracle Park. Whether Sandoval will continue his playing career remains uncertain, but his legacy as a fan favorite will endure.

The Giants' ever-evolving roster reflects their commitment to assemble a competitive team for the upcoming season. With a mix of young prospects and experienced veterans, the organization hopes to find success on the diamond. Opening Day is just around the corner, and Giants fans eagerly await the start of another thrilling baseball season.