The infield sure could use some help, but their options are limited.
This afternoon, the San Francisco Giants announced that they had selected the contract of infielder Sergio Alcántara from Triple-A Sacramento to give their injured infield a bit more support. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, backup catcher Logan Porter was designated for assignment. In oder to get him on the active roster, OF Daniel Johnson was optioned back to Sacramento.
The 28-year Alcantara has 502 major league plate appearances under his belt, the last coming in 2022 with the Padres. He’s been with the Giants since the offseason after being one of Buster Posey’s first signings. Over at the indispensable There R Giants site, Roger Munter had just mentioned him yesterday:
Sadly, the veteran, who was coming off near MVP level production in the Dominican Winter League this year, has suffered through a miserable season. He just recently had an 0 for 20 skid that was the longest for a Sacramento hitter in several years, and he has yet to hit a HR on the season in 67 games
Great timing, Roger, and it’s clear that the team isn’t going to him thinking that they’ll be able to ride a hot hand. They simply need help on the infield, and he might, potentially, provide it. He has also pitched as a position player before, so he’ll be replacing Logan Porter’s utility pretty well, I’d say, even if his .206 average in Sacramento this year and .209 average in his MLB career guarantees he’ll be the 26th man with a bullet.
The good news, if there is some, is that Matt Chapman’s rehab is progressing and if you have an account on X, The Everything Awful App, you’ll be able to see some footage.
Edited to add: it’s even better than that. Moments ago, Alex Pavlovic reported that Chapman could return this weekend. Great news!
Get well soon, Matt Chapman, Casey Schmitt (responding well to his coristone shot), and Christian Koss!