San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn is quietly putting together a strong spring performance as he works to secure a role on the club’s pitching staff.

During a recent conversation with KNBR’s Marty Lurie, Winn reflected on his path over the past year and how he has worked his way back into the mix.

Winn explained that the previous season began with significant opportunity after he earned a spot on the Opening Day roster as a starter.

However, injuries ultimately forced him to adjust his role during the year.

“Yeah, so I started ’24, made the Opening Day roster as a starter,” Winn said. “Then I’ve had some bad luck, injury-wise, the last couple years. I moved to the bullpen a little bit last year, and I think I’ll move to the bullpen again this year and just compete for a job.”

Health setbacks have played a major role in Winn’s recent career path.

The pitcher revealed that he dealt with a nerve issue that required medical attention, followed by shoulder inflammation last season.

“I had an ulnar nerve problem, so I had to get that fixed,” Winn said. “Then last year it was just a bit of shoulder inflammation.”

Despite those setbacks, Winn said he is feeling healthy again as camp progresses.

“I feel great now,” he said.

During the offseason, Winn returned to Iowa, where he trained alongside friends and fellow professionals.

One of those players is Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller, who has become a close workout partner.

Winn said the training environment may look different from a traditional baseball facility, but it still provides everything necessary to prepare for the season.

“We have probably 150 feet of indoor turf to throw on and then a nice weight room,” Winn said. “So it gets the job done.”

Various catchers and amateur players also help facilitate the workouts during the winter months.

“We have a couple catchers come in,” Winn explained. “Sometimes prospects from other teams come in, and some NAIA or Division III guys will catch us too.”

Now competing primarily as a reliever, Winn said his pitch mix remains largely the same. His arsenal includes a sinker, four-seam fastball, slider and splitter.

“It’s kind of the same things,” Winn said. “Sinker, four-seam, mix a slider in there and then my splitter.”

Mentally, Winn said he is open to any bullpen assignment the team might need.

“I’m looking forward to doing whatever job they give me,” Winn said. “If I need to close games, I could. If they need me to be a setup guy, I’ll do that. If they want me to clean up innings, I’ll do that too.”

Winn also pointed out several pitchers who have caught his attention this spring, including Trevor McDonald and Caleb Kilian.

“Trevor McDonald’s having a great camp,” Winn said. “Just being around him the last couple years and seeing how much he’s grown, he’s really doing it this year.”

He added that Kilian has also impressed him.

“Seeing how much he’s changed has been really cool,” Winn said.

As camp continues, Winn’s health and steady performance could give the Giants another reliable bullpen option heading into the season.

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