Nolan Ryan … Rogers? Why Tyler got a call from the HOF pitcher

This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado’s Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tyler Rogers didn’t have much of a connection to Nolan Ryan growing up, but he inadvertently created one when he and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their second son on Jan. 8.

The couple christened their child Nolan, and keeping with family tradition, they also gave him Jennifer’s maiden name as his middle one. The end result? Nolan Ryan Rogers.

The reference to the Hall of Fame pitcher was more of a coincidence than anything, but the story got even better when Ryan -- tipped off by manager Bob Melvin -- called Rogers to personally offer his congratulations.

“It was cool because Nolan Ryan did call me and congratulate me on it and signed a ball for Nolan,” Rogers said Friday. “So I am now a huge Nolan Ryan fan.”

While Rogers added a member to his family off the field, he also lost one within the Giants' clubhouse over the offseason, as his twin brother, Taylor, ended up being traded to the Reds in exchange for Minor League right-hander Braxton Roxby last month.

The siblings became teammates after Taylor joined the Giants on a three-year, $33 million deal in December 2022, and they spent two seasons pitching alongside each other in San Francisco’s bullpen.

“I guess I really haven’t processed it too much,” Rogers said. “Just thankful for the two years we got together. We did it right and enjoyed every second of it.”

While the Rogers twins are no longer on the same team, they’re still living together this spring and will once again share a field on Opening Day on March 27, when the Giants are scheduled to face the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

“What a coincidence, huh?” Rogers said. “And then they come to San Francisco, so six of our first 12 games are against the Reds. But then you start thinking, ‘Now I’ve got to go 5 1/2 months without seeing him.’ So that’s when it’ll probably really hit."

The Rogers twins will both be eligible for free agency at the end of the season, so they’re not ruling out another possible reunion in the future. Still, Tyler will be a first-time free agent at 34 after having to wait years to finally reach the Majors in 2019, so he knows he’ll have to prioritize the best situation for himself moving forward.

The veteran submariner figures to generate plenty of interest next winter, as he’s quietly emerged as one of the most dependable relievers in the National League over the past six years, logging a 2.93 ERA while averaging 68 appearances per season.

“It’s kind of the same thing as when my brother hit free agency,” Tyler said. “I told him, ‘This is your free agency. Act like I’m not even part of the equation. Make the right decision for you.’ He said the same thing to me. It’s hard to get free agency. It takes a long time. For me, it’ll be 13 seasons to get to free agency. He’s like, ‘Make your own decision for you and your family.’ If it works out, it works out.”