In May, the San Francisco Giants made an interesting trade, sending veteran backstop and defensive mastermind Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians. Bailey is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, but his lack of offensive production left some fans frustrated while younger players like Jesus Rodriguez and Daniel Susac waited in the wings.
Other fans weren’t sold on the trade though, believing Bailey’s defensive prowess and clutch factor made him a valuable asset. To only get one prospect and a draft pick in return seemed too little.
Advertisement
Well this week, fans should get to see part of what they got for Bailey.
On Monday, Aug. 17, the Giants called up left-handed pitcher Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson from the minors, the prospect they acquired in the trade. Ironically, it’s just in time for the Giants to face the Guardians in a three-game series between Tuesday, Aug. 18 and Thursday, Aug. 20.
Here’s what to know about the latest member of the team.
More: MLB power rankings: Cardinals back in race as Joshua Báez arrives with bang
1 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) reacts as he is recognized by the San Francisco Giants organization during the first inning at Oracle Park on Aug. 9, 2026. Justin Verlander underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September 2020 after making just one start that season with the Houston Astros. The former Cy Young Award winner faced a lengthy rehab, missed the entire 2021 season, and later returned to reestablish himself as one of baseball’s top pitchers. See some of the other top pitchers who have had Tommy John surgery over the years.
(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)
1 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) reacts as he is recognized by the San Francisco Giants organization during the first inning at Oracle Park on Aug. 9, 2026. Justin Verlander underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September 2020 after making just one start that season with the Houston Astros. The former Cy Young Award winner faced a lengthy rehab, missed the entire 2021 season, and later returned to reestablish himself as one of baseball’s top pitchers. See some of the other top pitchers who have had Tommy John surgery over the years.
(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)
2 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz in action on the mound at Turner Field during the 2002 season. John Smoltz underwent Tommy John surgery in 2000 after a torn elbow ligament threatened to end his career. He returned to pitch nine more seasons and became the first Hall of Fame pitcher to have undergone the procedure.
(RVR Photos, Imagn Images)
3 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani looks on before delivering a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on June 24, 2026. Shohei Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2018 after a damaged elbow ligament cut short his rookie pitching season with the Angels. He had a second surgery on his elbow after the 2023 season that was similar. The two-way star returned to excel both at the plate and on the mound, cementing his place as one of baseball’s most unique and accomplished players.
(Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images)
4 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) pitches the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Truist Park on Aug. 14, 2026. Chris Sale underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2020 after elbow problems cut short his time with the Boston Red Sox. The seven-time All-Star battled through a lengthy recovery and later won the 2024 NL Cy Young Award.
(Jordan Godfree, Imagn Images)
5 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler throws against St. Louis Cardinals catcher Jimmy Crooks during the third inning at Busch Stadium on Aug. 12, 2026. Zack Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015 after tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow, costing him the entire season. He returned to become one of the majorsÕ most durable and effective starters, emerging as an ace for the Philadelphia Phillies.
(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)
6 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi throws to the plate against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Globe Life Field on Aug. 7, 2026. Nathan Eovaldi underwent Tommy John surgery twice, first as a high school pitcher in 2007 and again in 2016 while with the New York Yankees. He overcame both procedures to become a two-time All-Star and a World Series champion with both the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.
(Raymond Carlin III, Imagn Images)
7 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Aug. 1, 2026. Jacob deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery twice during his baseball career, first in 2010 shortly after being drafted by the Mets and again in 2023 while with the Texas Rangers. Despite the setbacks, the two-time Cy Young Award winner returned to remain one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
8 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 7, 2026. Max Fried underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 while he was one of the San Diego Padres’ top pitching prospects, forcing him to miss the 2015 season. He recovered to become a frontline starter, a multiple-time All-Star, and a key member of the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series championship team.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
9 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Former Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg catches a baseball during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park on June 9, 2022. Stephen Strasburg underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010 after tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow during his rookie season. He returned to become one of baseball’s premier pitchers, helping lead the Washington Nationals to the 2019 World Series title and earning World Series MVP honors.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
10 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Former St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright reacts after a double play against the Milwaukee Brewers to end the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on Sept. 18, 2023. Adam Wainwright missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, then returned to anchor the St. Louis CardinalsÕ rotation. He rebounded to become one of the franchiseÕs all-time great pitchers, finishing his career with 200 wins.
(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)
11 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish delivers during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park on Sept. 8, 2025. Yu Darvish underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015 after suffering a torn elbow ligament, causing him to miss the entire season. The former Texas Rangers ace returned in 2016 and went on to remain one of baseball’s most accomplished international pitchers.
(Denis Poroy, Imagn Images)
12 / 12
Major League arms that endured Tommy John surgery and thrived
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts at the end of the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 2026. Tarik Skubal underwent Tommy John surgery while pitching at Seattle University in 2017, a setback that lowered his draft stock but ultimately became part of his rise to the majors. He recovered to become the Detroit Tigers’ ace and one of baseball’s top left-handed pitchers. He was traded to the Dodgers in 2026.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Who is Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson?
Matt Wilkinson is a former 10th-round draft pick out of Central Arizona College. The 23-year-old starter dominated Double-A this year between his time with the Giants and Guardians’ affiliates, totaling 43.1 innings with a 1.87 ERA all while striking out 10.2 hitters per nine innings.
Advertisement
He struggled to maintain that level of success with the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, though. The southpaw pitched 43.2 innings in Triple-A, recording a 5.15 ERA and striking out just 8.9 hitters per nine innings. He also surrendered seven home runs in those 43.2 innings, compared to just two in his prior 43.1 innings of work at Double-A.
Wilkinson does not boast overpowering stuff. His fastball has averaged 89.9 mph during his time in Triple-A, and he mostly relies on a three-pitch mix of his fastball, slider and changeup, though he also has a cutter in his arsenal that he rarely uses.
The pitch he’s most well-known for is his “Invisi-ball.” Wilkinson describes the pitch as his fastball, just with “really low release and really good extension.” It makes his 90-91 mph fastball come up on hitters quicker than they expect, which has helped him tremendously throughout his minor league career.
How he earned the nickname “Tugboat”
At a very young age, Wilkinson’s dad’s best friend gave him the moniker after watching him run the bases. The friend described the pace of Wilkinson’s running as “similar to that of a boat designed to tow larger ships.”
Advertisement
The nickname stuck.
Wilkinson’s stint in the WBC
Wilkinson pitched 2.2 innings for Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic in March this year, allowing zero hits, two walks and four strikeouts during his two appearances for the team.
Though not an everyday player for the Guardians, Bailey has performed at a level to be expected of the Gold Glove-winning catcher. His defense has been very good in the 54 appearances he’s made, but he remains a well-below average hitter and sports a .208/.260/.357 triple-slash for the Guardians, amounting to an OPS+ of 70.
Advertisement
That said, he has flashed decent power for the Guardians, with five home runs for the club in just 171 plate appearances, much greater than the rate he collected for the Giants in any of his three seasons prior.
When do the Giants play the Guardians?
The Giants and Guardians embark on a three-game series in Cleveland beginning tomorrow, August 18, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
The series ends with the final game on Thursday, August 20, at 1:10 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is “Tugboat” Wilkinson? Giants call up pitcher with fun nickname
