© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford was put on three-day paternity leave ahead of San Francisco’s upcoming series against the visiting Miami Marlins. The Giants recalled infielder Kelby Tomlinson in Crawford’s absence.
Crawford entered Monday with a team-leading .315 batting average. He also leads the Giants in games played, the result of both his durability and a constant injury bug that has not yet escaped the Giants. Each of the additional starting everyday infielders — Evan Longoria, Brandon Belt, and Joe Panik — has missed extended time due to injuries.
Crawford’s absence will not be prolonged. He is expected to miss only the three-game series against the Marlins as he welcomes his fourth child.
Tomlinson has not played with the big league club since May 30. He struggled throughout May, hitting .162 with 10 strikeouts in his past 12 games with the Giants. He hit .250 with Triple-A Sacramento since he was optioned.
The Giants (35-37) are 2-5 in their past seven games, but they enter Monday coming off a 4-1 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Monday’s contest kicks off a 10-game homestand.
