Now with Reds, Solano reflects on time in S.F.
Much of Friday night’s pregame buzz focused on Tommy Pham’s presence at Oracle Park for the first time since he slapped San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson on May 27 in Cincinnati.
That placed Donovan Solano comparatively under the radar as the infielder made his return to China Basin.
“I’m happy to come back to San Francisco,” said Solano, adding his favorite memories in his three Giants seasons were winning a Silver Slugger award in 2020 and appearing in the playoffs for the first time in 2021. “They gave me another opportunity in the big leagues after I played two or three years in the minor leagues. This is the team that opened the door for me.”
Solano, 34, who signed with the Reds in March for $4.5 million, has missed most of the season with a hamstring injury. Friday was just his third game for Cincinnati.
In Solano’s place in San Francisco, Thairo Estrada has gotten more reps around the infield, mostly at second base. Asked if he wanted to return to the Giants for another year, Solano “Yeah, I was open to come back and play with those guys, but I know how the business works, and I know they’ve used another player to replace me.”
Solano and Estrada were in the Yankees’ organization together, and Solano was supportive of Estrada moving into a bigger role with the Giants, saying, “I know his personality. I know he’s a hard worker. I told him, ‘Hey, I know you can do it, so work hard and enjoy it.’ ”
During Cincinnati’s batting practice, many Reds players wore red T-shirts with one word on the front: “PHAM!” But both managers tried to downplay the Pham-Pederson reunion.
“Our club has really moved past this,” the Giants’ Gabe Kapler said. “I echo Joc’s sentiments about we have some incredible, supportive fans, but we always want them to be respectful as well.”
Cincinnati skipper David Bell added, “It’s not something — nobody around here has talked about that in a long time, so it’s behind us, for sure. I’m confident in saying that.”
Bullpen change: Zach Littell, who had pitched three times in five days including three innings Thursday in Atlanta, was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento and replaced by righthander Yunior Marte.
“I don’t think it’s any secret we want to be in a position to protect our bullpen, and today we felt we needed to get an arm on the roster that could give us two, two-plus innings if necessary,” Kapler said.
Briefly: LaMonte Wade Jr. (left knee inflammation) was to play his play seven innings in the outfield for Sacramento, his fifth rehab game. The Giants are in no rush to bring back a man who was a key ingredient to last year’s 107-win ride. “When we bring him back to the majorleague level, we want him to feel like he can do everything he needs to do on the baseball field without any restrictions,” Kapler said, “and so we’re going to be patient with that.” … Shortstop Brandon Crawford was in the lineup for the first time since exiting Tuesday’s game with a left knee contusion, a result of a collision at second base. He was given the go-ahead after taking grounders and batting practice. … Asked if he had thoughts on the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, Kapler said he spent most of the day communicating with those affected. “I need some time to process, like a lot of other people who are hurting right now,” he said.