Another week in the books and the San Francisco Giants are still struggling to find ways to win games. After the first seven games of the year the Giants were 2-5. San Francisco then won three of the following seven games, rounding out their current record to 5-9, which puts them last in the National League West. Even worse then the record, the Giants began the week having to put one, if not their best offensive player on the disabled list.
After taking a wild pitch to the head, Buster Posey was put on the 7-day concussion disabled list. Reports have Posey rejoining the Giants when he is first eligible to return this Tuesday. San Francisco added catcher Tim Federowicz to the 40-man roster and their major-league roster to replace Posey. In doing so, they had to make room on the 40-man roster and designated Clayton Blackburn for assignment.
The Giants received interest from multiple teams on Blackburn after the designation and eventually traded him to the Texas Rangers for infield prospect Frandy De La Rosa. It is unknown exactly what type of player the 21-year-old De La Rosa will be. To the Giants’ credit, at least they received a player in return for Blackburn.
San Francisco’s injuries this past week did not end at Posey. Over the weekend left fielder Jarrett Parker made a great catch while hitting the wall. Parker was instantly removed from the game and has been diagnosed with a broken right clavicle. He has been added to the 10-day disabled list.
The Giants have more then enough options in the minors to replace Parker, but it is still unclear which direction they will go. Mac Williamson was competing with Parker for the starting left field job during Spring Training but missed the final week of spring with a tightened quadricep and is still out with the injury. Veteran Michael Morse, who was also competing for a 25-man roster spot, injured his hamstring late in spring as well. Morse will begin his rehab assignment sometime this week at Class-A ball.
After his release from the Toronto Blue Jays before Opening day, the Giants signed Melvin Upton Jr. to a minor-league deal. He has yet to play in a minor-league game this season. Like Federowicz, San Francisco would have to make room for Upton Jr. on the 40-man roster. That move could very come in the form of moving Parker to the 60-day disabled list.
Two players currently on the 40-man roster that could get the call up are Kelby Tomlinson or Orlando Calixte. Tomlinson makes more sense, considering he has spent portions of the past two seasons on the Giants’ major-league roster. Whoever gets the call up should have a short leash. San Francisco needs better offensive production from their left field position then they have received thus far this season.
The Giants have a much needed shorter schedule this week. Their first chance to change their recent luck comes this Tuesday in a two-game road series against the Kansas City Royals. They follow that trip up with another road series against the Colorado Rockies, begining Friday.
Harrison Howard covers the San Francisco Giants and Fantasy Baseball as a Staff Writer for OPSN. Follow him on Twitter @harryhoward54.
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