Giants designate once-touted prospect Joey Bart for assignment

SAN DIEGO -- Joey Bart, once considered the likely successor to Buster Posey as the San Francisco Giants' catcher, was designated for assignment Sunday.

San Francisco made the move to open a roster spot for 28-year-old right-hander Daulton Jefferies, who started against San Diego in his first major league appearance since May 18, 2022, with Oakland.

Now 27, Bart was selected by the Giants with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 amateur draft. Bart played in 162 games over four seasons with San Francisco, hitting .219 in 457 at-bats with 11 homers, 38 RBIs and 178 strikeouts.

San Francisco had been carrying two other catchers in addition to Bart: Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.

Jefferies' contract was selected from Triple-A Sacramento.