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Tony Vitello's first spring training game with the Giants left the former Tennessee coach in literal pain

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 11:45 PM ET

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello managed his first spring training game in the big leagues on Saturday.

Vitello, the Tennessee Vols' head baseball coach from 2017 to 2025, saw his team get down 5-0 in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday in Cactus League action.

The Giants, however, answered with four runs in the second inning before going on to win 10-5.

It was a nice debut for Vitello, but things will be a little more competitive when the real games start later next month (and little-known prospects aren't playing in the later innings).

Tony Vitello was in literal pain in his big league managing debut

Vitello's first MLB spring training game as a manager was painful....literally.

And not because the former Tennessee coach is regretting his decision to leave Rocky Top (despite what sports talk show hosts in the Bay Area want you to believe).

Vitello apparently picked a dangerous spot to stand in the dugout and was hit by a foul ball.

"I'll show you guys the bruise one of these days, because it's there," said Vitello to reporters.

Among the lessons Tony Vitello learned in his first game managing the Giants: Find a better spot to stand in the dugout. A foul ball drilled him in the shin.

"I’ll show you guys the bruise one of these days, because it’s there."
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) February 22, 2026

Vitello said he learned a lot today about pregame prep and in-game conversations with his coaches. His main lesson, though, was that he needs to stand in a different spot in dugout. He got smoked on the shin by a foul ball. https://t.co/Hef64llU4C
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 21, 2026

Vitello, by the way, didn't have to wait long to make his first pitching change as an MLB manager -- it came in the first inning.

Tony Vitello’s new club trailing 5-0 with the one out in the bottom of the first inning, and the rookie manager makes his first pitching change, pulling Hayden Birdsong. pic.twitter.com/jlBnSBzA0a
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) February 21, 2026

There will be plenty of "firsts" on the way for Vitello in 2026. Hopefully, for Vitello's sake, there won't be a second foul ball come his way.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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