The Giants are welcoming back a pair of outfield reinforcements. San Francisco reinstated both Mitch Haniger and Austin Slater from the 10-day injured list prior to tonight’s matchup with the Cardinals. To clear spots on the active roster, the Giants optioned infielder/outfielder Brett Wisely to Triple-A Sacramento and placed first baseman/corner outfielder Darin Ruf on the 10-day IL with inflammation in his right wrist.
Haniger’s return is the biggest development. He’s now in position to make his club debut. Signed to a three-year, $43.5MM guarantee over the offseason, the longtime Mariner went down with a Grade 1 oblique strain in Spring Training. That cost him the first three weeks of the regular season but didn’t prove a serious long-term concern. He’s in left field tonight and hitting third against St. Louis southpaw Jordan Montgomery.
The 32-year-old outfielder appeared in four rehab games for Sacramento. He picked up four hits in 13 at-bats, clearing the fences twice. Haniger is coming off a .246/.308/.429 showing over 57 games during his final season in Seattle.
Slater also opened the year on the IL, in his case due to a hamstring strain. The role-playing outfielder had a quality .264/.366/.408 line over 325 plate appearances last season. He spent the bulk of his defensive time in center field, garnering mixed reviews for his glovework. He eases into action as the designated hitter in his first MLB game of the year after picking up six hits in 18 at-bats on a rehab stint for Sacramento. Slater will lead off tonight.
The pair of right-handed hitters add some balance to a lineup that is off to a dreadful start against left-handed pitching. Only the Tigers (.264) have a lower on-base percentage against southpaws than San Francisco’s .271 mark, while their .337 slugging ranks 27th in the majors. Those struggles were part of the reason the Giants reunited with Ruf, who has a .261/.370/.348 line in nine games this season.
Welcome sign for Giants fans. Nice to see what this team can do at full health
When your relying on Mitch Hanniger and Austin Slater to save your season you’re in big trouble
Every NL West team except AZ and that is debatable, is in trouble and glad it’s just April at this point.
27chumpy, Ah, you never disappoint. Whenever we need an uninformed opinion we can count on you. Only a baseball neophyte would think a season needs to be saved after only 3 weeks.
Maybe check out Fangraph’s article on Slater from a few weeks ago, when they suggested he was the best bench guy in all of baseball. And maybe consider, Haniger, whose nick name was The Shed (because that’s where you find all the tools). So only a baseball numbskull would think these guys aren’t a big boost, as they would be for any team, including the 4th place Yankees.
Good job tad2b13! Bravo! You are good at this 🙂
@27
Yes, because I’m sure they’d much rather rely on adding IKF, Aaron Hicks, Willie Calhoun, and Franchie Cordero as their outfield depth.
Being a huge SF fan, unfortunately for me, you’re right
My guess is they are just playing “IL Roulette” with the Ruf “injury”. They will need to make a roster move when he is ready to come back and that move is probably either DFA Ruf or send Villar to AAA for consistent ABs. They are probably waiting to see if there is a legit injury so they don’t have to make a real move.
Agree. Davis is making a strong case to play 3B everyday. And, as you say, Villar could use some consistent ABs in Sac.
At long last! Welcome Hanny! Welcome back Slates! Let’s go!!!!!!
Get a life Agnes! Haha, having fun with you because of the other idiot. Didn’t that lineup tonight look great? I missed Slater and his right handed bat. If starting pitching continues to excel and the lineup is excelling, there’s a synergistic effect. One feeds off the other. it’s fun. But I have one problem to address–Villar. I feel he needs AAA time again. And if Bart is hurt, let’s see Bailey. And maybe not Schmitt but a replacement for Villar? What do you or Tad think. Foppert? Do you think a longer leash for Villar is good or….?
Ha ha claude, that’s funny! It was great to see Slater tonight! Really fun game except Bart’s groin pull. I guess we will know soon if it’s mild or severe, I hope mild. I’d love to see Bailey! He’s doing so well. Not on the 40 man yet but they could make some moves. But I doubt the Giants do it… they probably feel he’s not ready yet but we can hope for a miracle!
Villar looked so good early to start the season but he’s getting exposed with the breaking stuff. He needs to start hitting that or nobody is throwing him a fastball ever again. JD has looked phenomenal at 3B which is shocking, but he’s worked hard with the coaches and is making great defensive plays! Schmitt is on his way too.
It’ll all work out, it’s always fluid and the roster is always a work in progress! Stay strong claud!
I wish I could private message or email you, I’d love to invite you somewhere to chat Giants!
Now if the FO can just figure out how to get Vosler back into the mix, the Giants at least will have the upper hand in the nostalgia standings (as they usually do).
This will help. I’m not saying world beaters. But added additions for sure.
Haniger is a great guy. Wish him well.
Why not Schmitt? Dude has been taking for the last 2 years at every level. He’s 24 years old, I think it’s time. Let’s see what he’s got.