Dickerson, Ruf back from the IL
Thriving outfielder Wade headed back to Triple-A to make room
Throughout the 2021 season, a long list of Giants players have answered the call when the club has needed a “next man up.”
With veterans Alex Dickerson and Darin Ruf returning from the injured list, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Jason Vosler just became the first men down.
The Giants announced Monday that Dickerson and Ruf have been reinstated from the 10-day injured list while Wade and Vosler were optioned to Triple-A Sacramento following Sunday’s 11-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The news that Wade is heading back to the minors is relatively surprising considering the versatile left-handed hitter has enjoyed the best month of his major league career and solidified the Giants’ batting order in the leadoff role. In 83 at-bats this season, Wade is hitting .265 with an .814 OPS as he filled in admirably at first base while Ruf and Brandon Belt were on the injured list before stepping in as an everyday outfielder with Dickerson sidelined due to an upper back strain.
Wade is one of five Giants hitters with three home runs at Oracle Park in June.
Vosler has also given the Giants solid production at third base in Evan Longoria’s absence, but with a pair of veteran hitters returning to the lineup and Wilmer Flores and Mauricio Dubón both capable of playing third base, the rookie became the odd man out.
The Giants’ decision to send Wade down to Triple-A is due in part to the fact the club is scheduled to face left-hander Andrew Heaney today in Anaheim before facing two more lefties, Sean Manaea and Cole Irvin, in its upcoming series against the A’s over the weekend. Wade is hitting .310 with a .977 OPS against right-handers this year, but is 0-for-13 against lefties and 0-for-23 in his career against southpaws.
Wade was ultimately hurt by having a minor league option available, meaning he could be sent to Triple-A without needing to first clear waivers. Mike Tauchman, who is batting .175 with a .558 OPS this season, does not have options available and almost assuredly
would have been sent down before Wade if he did.
Tauchman has provided the Giants with three of their biggest moments of the year
as he’s responsible for a pair of home run robberies and a go-ahead grand slam that led to a victory over the Rangers, but he’s just 5-for-42 with 11
strikeouts in June as his atbats have failed to produce consistent results.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said over the weekend that Tauchman was spending additional time before games working on a mechanical adjustment and the team is optimistic he’ll be more productive at the plate in the coming days. If Tauchman is unable to turn his performance around soon, he will be in jeopardy of losing his spot to Wade, who has clearly proven he belongs at the major league level and should see more opportunities later on this season.
Right-handed hitting outfielder Austin Slater also has a minor league option available, but Slater has not played at Triple-A since 2019 and is expected to earn starts in the outfield against each of the lefties the Giants face this week.