​CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 19: Matt Wilkinson #71 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch during the second inning of his major league debut against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) GettyBOSTON, MA – AUGUST 23: Matt Wilkinson #71 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on August 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 19: Matt Wilkinson #71 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch during the first inning of his major league debut against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) GettyBefore their series with the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants have made a plethora of roster moves, and I don’t say plethora ‘lightly’, the Giants literally made 10 roster moves ahead of their series opener on Monday evening.Three players were placed on the IL (Willy Adames, JT Brubaker, Victor Bericoto), five players were promoted from the minors, Bryce Eldridge landed on the Bereavement List, and there was one roster casualty via demotion, which happened to be 6-foot-1, 250-pound southpaw Matt Wilkinson, who carries the nickname ‘Tugboat’.More MLB on Heavy: San Francisco Giants Announce Jung Hoo Lee Decision Before Reds GameMatt ‘Tugboat’ Wilkinson Optioned to MinorsGettyBOSTON, MA – AUGUST 23: Matt Wilkinson #71 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on August 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)Per the several roster transactions, Matt Wilkinson is headed back down to the minors.The 23-year-old Wilkinson got his first taste of MLB action this month and allowed four earned runs (which all came in his last start) over 5.2 total innings pitched.In the minors, the 250-pound powerful southpaw carries an ERA of 3.40 over 90 IP with 96 strikeouts in 20 total starts.NBCSports.com’s Matthew Pouliot wrote (about Wilkinson’s last outing, which came on 8/23):“He allowed seven hits, walked none and struck out two. Wilkinson threw 66 pitches on three days’ rest after his two-inning MLB debut on Wednesday. With Adrian Houser moving back to the rotation, it’s unclear if Wilkinson will get a start next time through. Sending him down for a fresh arm might be a possibility.”Wilkinson has indeed been sent down for a fresh arm.More MLB on Heavy: Chicago Cubs Announce Owen Miller News Before Diamondbacks GameMore on Tugboat WilkinsonGettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 19: Matt Wilkinson #71 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch during the first inning of his major league debut against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)Matt Wilkinson’s nickname of ‘Tugboat’ goes