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Giants sign Chris Heston to minor-league deal

A little pitching depth never hurt anybody.

MLB: Spring Training-Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants have signed veteran pitcher Chris Heston to a minor-league contract, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Could this be the triumphant return of the 29-year old to the Bay Area? Heston began his journey in the show with the Giants in 2014, producing a strong 2015 campaign and making his known with a no-hitter. Unfortunately, that glory (and 3.95 ERA) was followed by a 2016 riddled with injuries the left Heston to pitch only five innings, all out of the bullpen.

Just before the beginning of the 2017 season, San Francisco sent the righty to Seattle to clear roster room to take on Mark Melancon. Heston has only pitched six innings since then, raising very justifiable concern.

Innings deficient or not, the move is low risk and gives the Giants more pitching depth, as that seems to be San Francisco’s go-to position to shed when going after new acquisitions (one of the players the Giants gave up for Andrew McCutchen was top pitching prospect, Kyle Crick). While its seems like a snowball’s chance in hell that Heston finds himself a roster spot come the spring, if his arm is healthy and his velo is strong, he could conceivably be back in the bullpen again. Plus it doesn’t hurt to have a guy who pitched a no-hitter handing out tips to the young arms.

Everyone loves a good comeback, right?