Giants close to deal with OF Stubbs, sign P Ryan Webb

The Giants are close to a deal with veteran outfielder Drew Stubbs and have signed pitcher Ryan Webb to a Minor League contract, according to multiple reports.

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News/Bay Area News Group reports that the Giants are pursuing Stubbs in hopes to provide depth to their thin outfield, which has been marred by injuries at the major league and Triple-A levels. The 32-year-old Stubbs, a career .244 hitter who was released by the Twins at the end of spring training, can play all three outfield positions, but has primarily been a center fielder during his eight-year career in which he has played for the Reds, Indians, Rockies, Rangers, Braves and Orioles.

Currently, the Giants are facing injuries to Denard Span, Mac Williamson and Michael Morse plus one of their top prospects in Stephen Duggar. Span sat out Tuesday’s game against the Diamondbacks due to a stiff left hip, Williamson is on the 10-day disabled list while recovering from a quadriceps injury and Morse is in extended spring training while recovering from a hamstring injury and Duggar is dealing with a strained flexor muscle in his forearm.

In Baseball America’s list of transactions for the week of March 25-31, the Giants picked up Webb after he was released from the Brewers on March 22. Webb had signed a Minor League deal with the Brewers in December, but was let go along with reliever Joba Chamberlin.

Last year, Webb appeared in 18 games for Tampa Bay, but posted a 5.19 ERA in 17 1/3 innings in that span. Over the course of his career, Webb has a 3.43 ERA in 393 1/3 innings while pitching for the Rays, Padres, Marlins, Orioles and Indians.