Giants’ Tyler Heineman to share special moment with brother before Saturday’s game

Giants catcher Tyler Heineman knows what the perfect game would be for his brother Scott, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, on Saturday night when the two teams meet again at Oracle Park.

“I’d be very happy with him going 0-for-4 with four lineouts,” Tyler Heineman said Saturday afternooon. “Good spring training at-bats, but the Giants come up with a W.”

Tyler Heineman, 29, and his brother, who is two years younger, have played each other before. They were in the Pac-12 at the same time one year and also played each other in the minor leagues. But Saturday will mark the first time they’ll be in opposite dugouts at the major league level.

Heineman,a UCLA alum, is the Giants’ starting catcher, hitting eighth. Scott, a former Oregon Duck, is in center field and hitting seventh for the Rangers.

“It’s going to be special for sure. I’m very excited about it,” Tyler Heineman said. “I have some nerves. I think it’s a good thing. I haven’t really let it soak in too much., It’s still the Rangers versus the Giants and the most important thing is the Giants coming away with a W.”

Tyler and Scott will meet at home plate to talk to the umpires before Saturday’s game. Rangers manager Chris Woodward hatched the plan and got in touch with Kapler.

“Woody reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, can we have these guys meet at the plate,’ and I thought it was an awesome idea,” Kapler said. “What’s most cool about that idea is how his mom and dad (Steve and Kathy) are going to feel about that.”

Kapler recalled the pride he felt when he saw sons, Chase, a quarterback, hand the ball off to Dane, a tailback when they played together at Malibu High in 2017.

“I talked to (Tyler) about how cool it is for a mother and a father to see something like that, to see their kids play in a major league game,” Kapler said, adding that for himself, when Chase handed the ball to Dane, “I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud in my life.”

Tyler Heineman said he found out Friday night that he would in Saturday’s lineup and immediately let his brother and his family know.

“My dad is probably extremely nervous, as well as my mom, but also very excited,” Tyler said. “So he’s texted everyone, starting from (Friday) night when we knew that we were in the lineup. He started texting friends, family members and all of that last night, so I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of people tuning in.”

KAPLER ON BRANTLY: Catcher Rob Brantly cleared waivers Saturday and is in Sacramento at the Giants’ alternative training site. Brantly was designated for assignment earlier this week after Chadwick Tromp was selected to be a part of the 30-man roster.

“Certainly like to have Bob stay in the organization,” Kapler said. “We saw how much energy he can bring to a camp and to a team. He continues to provide a nice layer of depth for us while Tromp and Heineman are our major league catchers.”

Kapler mentioned the work the players are doing in Sacramento and has been pleased with outfielder Joey Rickard. When asked how Joey Bart’s days are filled, Kapler said the prized catcher is doing well but wouldn’t get into specifics, particularly on whether Bart might be trying out other positions.

“I’m not going to get into specific number of reps, but I can certainly say that he had a big double (Friday), feeling good in the batters box,” Kapler said. “He continues to do work and develop.”

KAPLER ON HUNTER BISHOP: Outfielder Hunter Bishop tweeted Thursday he’s completely healthy but that coronavirus protocols and testing was what was keeping him from being on the field.

“But I’m all about safety and the health of the players present. Hopefully back ASAP,” Bishop tweeted.

Asked when Bishop could be back, Kapler avoided specifics, saying, “I think the ASAP that he put out there is really well said.”