The San Francisco Giants have placed first baseman Wilmer Flores and second baseman Thairo Estrada on the 10-day IL. Estrada went on the injured list with a left wrist sprain, and Flores with knee tendinitis. In corresponding moves, the Giants called up infielder Tyler Fitzgerald and LaMonte Wade Jr. from the 10-day IL.
Giants Place Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores On Injured List https://t.co/xeuEzbix4c pic.twitter.com/P0K0VsTvx4
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 29, 2024
Giants Place Estrada, Flores on IL
Flores and Estrada Injuries, Stats & Woes
This 2024 season has been nothing but a burdensome season for infielder veterans Estrada and Flores. They have both struggled offensively despite posting impressive numbers in the 2023 season. Productivity has just not been there for both. Estrada successfully recorded a 3.6 fWAR last season and sported a 101 wRC+. Unfortunately, this season, he hasn’t looked like the same player. He had a .231/.264/.376 slash line in 311 at-bats despite his underrated numbers last season. His .259 batting average with balls in play signals that improvement is progressing for the 28-year-old. In addition, Estrada’s .279 wOBA (weighted on-base percentage) exceeds what was expected of him.
The 32-year-old Flores was booming in 2023 in a somewhat consistent role with the club. He slashed .284/.355/.509 (136 wRC+) in 454 at-bats while sharing time between first, second, and third and DH. Flores has played a similar game with the Giants this season, aside from consistently playing first base while Wade was injured. Some of Flores’ strong assets as an infielder consist of his discipline at the plate (walking more and striking out less). Despite this, he has had trouble getting extra-base hits. Comparing his barrel rate from last season, it has gone down from 7.8 % to 5.7%. Also, his power numbers have gone down from last season. He went yard 23 times in 2023, and so far this season, he’s only done so four times.
What Comes Next
The timeline of return for both infielders is uncertain. Wade will likely come in as a solid substitution, but it isn’t clear if Fitzgerald will be as effective as a replacement. Fitzgerald only made his MLB debut last year but has decent slashing numbers: .273/.333/.409 across a sample size of 28 games. Fitzgerald’s role will consist of him playing between first base and the outfield. In other words, a utility role position.
Despite the unfortunate injuries, Wade’s return is positive news, considering he is a solid hitter. His walk rate is also impressive at 19.9%. Walks are underrated in the game and can end up making a real difference. If Wade can live up to the hype of his appealing stats and play how he has played in the past, it will help boost the Giants offense and mend the injuries that have occurred.
Photo Credit: © Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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