Giants add Tommy La Stella but demote González

DENVER — Giants manager Gabe Kapler had before Monday’s series opener against the Rockies what he described as “one of the most challenging discussions” he’s had as a major league skipper.

Kapler had to inform 26-year-old outfielder Luis González that he was headed back to Triple-A Sacramento, despite a massively impressive debut patching holes over the past three weeks with the big club. González was optioned Monday to clear space for second baseman Tommy La Stella, who was activated from the injured list and made his season debut.

“He was a great teammate. He was very competitive. For all of those reasons, it’s going to come as a surprise,” Kapler said. “Even if you were very in tuned with what’s happening with the roster. Even if you’re in Luis’ position and you know that Tommy La Stella is coming back, in your brain, you’re performing very well and you feel like you’re making contributions to the team. Those are always going to be challenging conversations.

“Of course I explained that to Luis, and of course he was a pro and understood it, and of course there was some natural disappointment because he’s a human being who played really well and was having a great time.”

As difficult as it was to break the news to González, who homered off Albert Pujols and pitched Sunday night in somewhat of a parting gift, Kapler was equally enthused about the addition of La Stella, who he said was “kind of the epitome of what we want our hitters to do.”

“Tommy’s one of the better plate appearances in baseball. It’s just as simple as that,” Kapler said. “Make a lot of contact, drive the baseball occasionally, draw a walk here and there and keep the line moving, which Tommy does exceptionally well.”

La Stella, who had offseason surgery on the sheath of his right Achilles tendon, had appeared in nine games during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento, batting .310/.429/.586 with two home runs.

He was cleared to return after playing the field for nine innings in back-to-back games, then going 2-for-2 as a designated hitter the next day.