The Giants announced a series of roster moves this evening, headlined by the return of third baseman Matt Chapman from the injured list. Infielder Sergio Alcantara was designated for assignment to make room for Chapman on the active roster. Additionally, the Giants optioned right-hander Mason Black to Triple-A and recalled right-hander Tristan Beck.
Chapman, 32, has been sidelined for almost a month by a hand injury that left him with sprains in three fingers and bone bruises on each of those fingers. Prior to that injury the infielder was in the midst of a brilliant season at third base for the Giants with a .243/.360/.452 slash line across 65 games. The loss of Chapman’s bat from the lineup hurt for San Francisco, as they went on to lose 14 of the 23 games they played while he was injured. That’s left them buried in an NL West race that was quite close just a month ago while also putting them on the outside looking in when it comes to the NL Wild Card race. Fortunately, the return of Chapman to the lineup should be a huge boost to a Giants club that has not yet had the opportunity to bat him and Rafael Devers alongside each other in the same lineup.
Making room for Chapman on the roster is Alcantara, who made it into just one game with the Giants. He was selected to the roster just a couple of days ago to provide cover while Chapman, Casey Schmitt, and Christian Koss were all on the shelf while Tyler Fitzgerald battled a minor back issue. Though he went hitless during his lone game with the Giants, Alcantara’s value has never stemmed from his bat. He’s hitting just .206/.319/.252 even in the heightened offensive environment of Triple-A’s Pacific Coast League this year, and sports a career 70 wRC+ during his major league career. Despite that weak offensive production, the 28-year-old has gotten 193 games in the majors with the Tigers, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Padres, and Giants thanks to his slick work with the glove and any ability to cover needs anywhere on the infield. The Giants will have one week to either trade Alcantara or pass him through waivers, where he would have the choice to either accept an outright assignment or elect free agency if he goes unclaimed.
As for Black, he too made just one appearance in the majors with the Giants this year, throwing four innings of relief yesterday where he surrendered five runs (three earned) while striking out five in and walking none in a 11-2 loss to the Athletics. He’ll head back to Triple-A, where he has a 4.75 ERA in 15 appearances this year, as a depth option for the rotation or potential long man for the bullpen as needed. Returning to the bullpen in his place is Beck, who has generally impressed over the years with a 3.66 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 113 career MLB innings. His work this season has been less impressive, though it’s come in a sample of just 12 innings across six appearances.
The team’s OPS+ is 96, which puts them 18th out of 30 teams. They’re a little below average, but there are a number of teams worse then them.
They’re 25th in both batting average and HR, and 21st in on-base %. Again, not great, but not the worst.
Chapman doesn’t fix all their problems, but by OPS+, at least, he is literally their best hitter. He also plays a mean 3rd base. Getting a player like him back can act as a morale boost that gets the boys in the dugout back on track.
They’re only one game out of 2nd in the West and the last wildcard spot. Every team goes through down turns, but there’s lots of time and they are very much in it, and they’re getting their best player back.
I would say he plays a nice third base.
In matters such as these I usually defer to StevieSteve, for he is wise in the ways of such things…..
worry about your own terrible team
Just don’t matter how you play last place teams. Better to focus on how they play the best teams. They’re coming up next so time to get swinging. No last place teams have ever made the postseason so troll on chumpy, nobody cares.
Welcome back Chappy!
Yet somehow Wisely lives…
He does. Made a Chapmanesque play other day and hit a bomb last night.
Wisely might be optioned when Koss and Schmitt return. But I think because Wisely is very versatile, I think him and Koss will be utility. Wisely does a good job playing the outfield too.Fitzgerald will be sent back down as soon as Schmitt is activated.
I like that scenario as long as they both stay hitterish. I was thinking about a platoon situation at 2B with Wisely and Schmitt as well. Depending on how the bats play out.
The guy’s a fine utility guy, and when Schmitt returns (and plays 2b), Giants will send Fitzgerald back to AAA. Fitz has way too much swing and miss. Koss will be the other utility player once he’s re-activated.
Yanks 7 over 500. Losers of 6 straight. Giants 5 over 500. That’s 1 game back of Yanks. So, terrible is 1 game back of NY.
And let’s not forget the Giants won two of three against the Yankees this year in New York
You’re weird
So it’s you who caused him to shave it.
Your description makes me think more of Sean Hjelle though. Keystone cop, just in the wrong hat.
Thank God he’s back. Cleanup Hitter totally needed ! Offense should stabilize
And the Yankees are good? They are 1/2 game ahead of the Giants who because of playing against the tougher pitching amongst the WC contenders more often. And you lost Clarke Schmidt for the year. Also Volpe will never become as good as the Yankees thought he was. Giants got Chapman back finally. The lineup has become fairly deep. They won tonight 7-2. Adames is on a hot streak. Hope for the rest of the year.
So Devers won’t be playing 3B?
Never was going to.
Lineup finally getting into shape, but what’s with Yaz leading off? Has to be Lee or Ramos …
As your team is aided every game by bandbox ballpark dimensions, Yankee fans shouldn’t be commenting on other lineups.
But I get it. You miss Soto. You’re bitter.
Teams lose and sometimes to bad teams. I almost decided to search an example but I think this should be common knowledge enough that I don’t have to defend it.
The Giants are 19th in runs scored so sure, it leaves something to be desired but they built their team based on their strength..pitching. Any team is going to heavily consider their ballpark when they invest.
Also, they have won 3 of their last 5. Not saying you are exaggerating. I see your time stamp was from yesterday but it seems they may already be turning the corner.