San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello met with reporters earlier on Monday and provided updates on several roster topics, including Drew Gilbert’s health, Sam Martin’s injury timeline, and the team’s increasingly competitive outfield battle.

Vitello confirmed that Gilbert has been medically cleared to take designated hitter at-bats and has already begun working at the team’s training facility.

While Gilbert has been eager to return, the club is taking a cautious approach before placing him back in a game.

“He has gone over to the facility. He got ABs,” Vitello said. “Part of it is his eagerness to be out there and be active, but I would say that tomorrow or the day after would be the day for him to be out there as opposed to today.”

The organization wants to ensure Gilbert is fully ready before pushing him into competition, though his return appears close.

Vitello also addressed the situation involving Martin, who recently received a diagnosis that will require a rehabilitation period.

Despite the setback, the manager noted that Martin has maintained a positive attitude.

“It’s tough to find him in a mood where he’s not smiling,” Vitello said. “But obviously he kind of knew what he was looking at was some sort of rehab.”

While exact timelines remain uncertain, Vitello acknowledged the recovery process will likely take time.

“I just always say my experience — it’s always case by case,” he explained. “It’s safer for the medical staff to project what a rehab might look like, but we’ll see where it’s at.”

The early expectation is that Martin will be sidelined for at least a month before further evaluations are made.

“Clearly gonna be a month, you know, at a minimum,” Vitello added. “And then from there we’ll see how he’s reacting.”

Another storyline this spring has been the Giants’ deep group of outfielders, several of whom have impressed in camp.

Vitello acknowledged the roster crunch, noting that multiple players currently performing well are capable of playing at the major league level.

“You got four or five, maybe six guys that are big league outfielders out there,” Vitello said.

Rather than forcing quick decisions, the manager believes the competition will largely sort itself out.

“There’s enough food on the table for everybody to eat,” he said. “That doesn’t mean on Opening Day you can play nine outfielders, but if those guys keep improving and showing what they can do, they’re gonna get rewarded.”

Vitello was also asked about Bryce Eldridge’s progress and where the young prospect might begin the season.

According to the manager, internal discussions about Eldridge have focused primarily on long-term growth rather than immediate roster placement.

“All those conversations honestly have been about development,” Vitello said. “As opposed to where he hits in the lineup.”

Vitello added that Eldridge has shown he can handle first base defensively, but the organization’s main goal is ensuring he continues to improve daily.

As camp progresses, the Giants are approaching their first wave of roster reductions.

Vitello said those decisions should arrive soon as the organization looks to provide players with clarity moving forward.

“I think the timing is middle of the week,” Vitello said. “It’s time to give some guys some clarity and let them continue on a path that they might be on.”

Even so, he emphasized that spring decisions do not necessarily define the rest of the season.

“We’re gonna need a lot more than even 30 guys to help us win as many games as we want to win,” Vitello said.

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