Duffy makes Giants’ roster, Adrianza designated for assignment

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PHOENIX — Rarely do the Giants risk losing a player to waivers when they have someone they can option to the minors instead. In this case, the player with options forced his way onto the team.

Infielder Matt Duffy will be one of four hitters on the Giants’ bench to start the season, the team announced Sunday, as he joins catcher Hector Sanchez, infielder Joaquin Arias and outfielder Justin Maxwell.

The odd man out is infielder Ehire Adrianza, a slick fielder who has not developed as a hitter. The Giants designated Adrianza for assignment, which means he can be claimed by any team before the Giants can send him to the minors.

“Duffy really had a great spring,” general manager Bobby Evans said. “He showed us last September and October what he can do off the bench. That’s what we need.

“We need the right-handed bat that he brings. The combination of his versatility and his bat helped him win the job.”

Duffy hit .361 with a 1.039 OPS and three homers in his first big-league spring training. He and Maxwell co-led the Giants with 15 RBIs.

Matt Duffy gained 13 pounds over the winter to improve his pop at the plate and his stamina. Matt Duffy gained 13 pounds over the winter to improve his pop at the plate and his stamina. Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Duffy makes Giants’ roster, Adrianza designated for assignment 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

Adrianza’s fate also was sealed by the Giants’ need to carry 13 pitchers to start the season. They open with 14 games and no off days. Long reliever Ryan Vogelsong might be added to the rotation for one turn as well, and starters rarely go beyond 90 to 100 pitches early in the year.

Furthermore, with George Kontos and Jean Machi both making the team, the Giants have no relievers with minor-league options.

“We don’t have a lot of bullpen flexibility,” Evans said. “We won’t be able to bounce back between 12 and 13 pitchers easily.”

However, the Giants will restore a five-man bench and 12-man pitching staff before long, when Travis Ishikawa is ready to come off the disabled list, which will require a tough decision on which pitcher to cut.

Also Sunday, outfielder Hunter Pence and reliever Erik Cordier were formally placed on the DL.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @HankSchulman

Leading off

Snakes again: The Giants are opening at Arizona for the third time in four seasons. They lost the 2012 opener 5-4 and won 9-8 in 2014.

— Henry Schulman

On deck

Monday

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Bumgarner (18-10) vs. Collmenter (11-9)

Tuesday

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TBA vs. De La Rosa (4-8)

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Cain (2-7) vs. Hellickson (1-5)