Moronta on IL; outfielder Wade tossed into action
After missing last season following 2019 shoulder surgery, Reyes Moronta was looking forward to a full season in the Giants’ bullpen. But Sunday, the team placed the righthander on the injured list and called up outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr.
Wade, who had been at the team’s alternate site in Sacramento and arrived at Oracle Park at 9 a.m., found out he was being added from the taxi squad to the active roster after noon and promptly singled, doubled and walked in his first three plate appearances. He also manned center field despite not getting a chance to shag flyballs in a park where he’d never played.
“It’s been a crazy day, but it’s a good day when we get to come here,” Wade said. “And we got a win.”
Manager Gabe Kapler confirmed that outfielder Austin Slater was not available Saturday after fouling a ball off his foot recently. Kapler said Slater was available to hit Sunday if needed.
Moronta is on the 10day IL with a right flexor tendon strain that is mild, Kapler said. His velocity has been down this season, mostly in the 9293 mph range rather than his typical 9798 mph. He worked a scoreless inning in Saturday’s win against the Rockies and in four appearances has a 2.25 ERA.
With Giants starters typically working deep into games so far this season — deeper than the norm this time of year — the team has the luxury of going with seven relievers for at least a few days, with many bullpen members starting to need work rather than rest.
Wade hit .182 with two homers during spring training as he adjusted to a hitting approach that the Giants believe will help maximize his power. In 42 bigleague games with the Twins, Wade hit .211 with two homers.
Giants add shortstop: A little thin at shortstop, the Giants swung a deal with the Yankees to bolster their depth, adding infielder Thairo Estrada for cash considerations. Estrada will report to the Giants’ alternate site in Sacramento. To make room on the 40man roster, outfielder Jaylin Davis was recalled and placed on the 60day IL with left knee tendinitis, a problem that has sidelined him for most of the past month.
Estrada, 25, has played 61 games in the big leagues, batting .214 with four homers in 112 atbats, 15 RBIs and five steals.
The Giants have only two shortstops on their bigleague roster, Brandon Crawford and Mauricio Dubón, and Dubón is the regular center fielder. Will Wilson was the only everydaytype shortstop sent to the alternate site.