Right-hander Trevor McDonald has been one of the most impressive pitchers in camp for the San Francisco Giants this spring, and his latest outing only added to the growing conversation about his potential role on the Opening Day roster.

The 25-year-old continued to build momentum this past week at Scottsdale Stadium, tossing four innings while allowing two runs in the Giants’ 3-3 tie with the Chicago White Sox.

Though it marked the first time he allowed runs this spring, McDonald still delivered another encouraging performance.

According to Maria Guardado of MLB.com, the runs came via a pair of solo home runs by Lenyn Sosa and Derek Hill, but the outing left McDonald with a strong 1.80 ERA and 11 strikeouts across 10 innings during Cactus League play.

“I’m happy with it,” McDonald said of his spring performance. “Obviously, you don’t want to go out and give up any runs, but it’s unrealistic to not [give up runs]. It’s going to happen. I just try to keep going out there, pounding the zone and competing.”

McDonald entered camp with momentum after making three appearances, including two starts for the Giants late last season, posting a 1.80 ERA in that brief Major League stint.

That experience has helped fuel his confidence as he tries to earn a larger role this year.

“Coming into this spring, it makes you hungry to get back up there and compete and try to start the year back up there,” McDonald said. “It’s definitely a boost of confidence, and it was encouraging at the end of the year.”

San Francisco’s starting rotation currently appears set with Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Landen Roupp, Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser projected to fill the five spots. Even so, McDonald’s strong showing could make him a serious candidate for the bullpen.

Manager Tony Vitello acknowledged that McDonald’s name has surfaced frequently in discussions among the Giants’ decision-makers as they evaluate roster possibilities.

“In a fun fashion, we argue and debate and throw out theories in there,” Vitello said. “He's one that's probably been talked about the most when you're trying to make anything stick against the wall. I think he's incredibly versatile.”

Vitello has also been impressed by the right-hander’s mentality and presence on the mound.

“I think just how well-rounded of a guy he is and the type of competitor he is,” Vitello said. “He's got a little bit of emotion to wear on his sleeve, but I think if you're in the dugout or in the bullpen with him, you get a greater sense of like, he’s just a bulldog.”

While McDonald has mostly worked as a starter throughout his Minor League career, his stuff has shown added life in shorter appearances.

During a Feb. 23 outing against the Athletics, he reached 97.2 mph on the radar gun — well above the 93 mph average on his sinker last season.

“It’s in the tank,” McDonald said. “If you look back a couple of years in the Minor Leagues, I was there. I’ve just kind of been a lot more intentional on my sleep, my recovery and what I’ve been putting in my body this offseason.”

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