Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The resurgent Giants are showing a lot of hope for a comeback season.
After his own comeback last year, Hunter Pence will no longer be a part of this bounce-back.
The Giants designated the fan favorite for assignment before Sunday’s series finale with the Diamondbacks, likely ending an ill-fated reunion with Pence’s bat never coming around.
In the series of moves that included Pence’s exit, the Giants acquired infielder Daniel Robertson from the Rays in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Robertson, who had been DFA’d himself, will go to the alternate site in Sacramento. Replacing Pence on the 28-man roster will be Sam Coonrod, who was reinstated from the 10-day IL.
It is an unceremonious end to Pence’s second chapter with the Giants. The beloved ball of positivity had resuscitated his career last year, when he was an All-Star with Texas, then signed back with San Francisco this offseason, an immediate match for Gabe Kapler’s demeanor.
The hitting coaches lauded his work in the cage, many of his own teammates, particularly Mauricio Dubon, frequently referenced Pence’s attitude and advice as key to their development this year. But Pence has not hit, slashing .096/.161/.250 in 56 plate appearances.
“We’ve seen continued hard work from Hunter and the same positive outlook,” Kapler had said Saturday. “We always have. I can tell you that a lot of the good players I’ve been around, the mark that really sets them apart is that when times are tough, they continue to do their work, they continue to think about their process. And that’s no different from Hunter.
“He would tell you that he’s not getting the results that he wants in the game.”
There were slow starts from Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford as well, but all have taken small or large steps in the past few weeks, a step the 37-year-old Pence has not made.
Robertson, a 26-year-old with three years of experience, had his best season in 2018, when he slashed .262/.382/.415 with nine home runs in 340 plate appearances. He plays all over the infield and has a dash of outfield experience.