Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The best news for Alex Dickerson will become a challenge for the Giants to weather.
Dickerson was placed on the paternity list before Saturday’s game in Oakland. It is unclear if his wife, Jennifer, has had their first child, a boy, yet, but the left fielder went back to Southern California to be there for his family.
Gabe Kapler said his belief was Dickerson’s leave “won’t be too long,” but in the meantime the Giants called up Wandy Peralta as another relief arm and Daniel Robertson, who is starting at shortstop but is now their fourth outfielder, Kapler saying he’d turn to Robertson before he turned to Brandon Belt. The Giants sent Andrew Suarez back down a day after the lefty threw 2 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings against the A’s.
With no further update on Mike Yastrzemski — Kapler called the Giants’ best player “day to day, moment to moment” — the Giants are employing an outfield of Darin Ruf, Mauricio Dubon and Luis Basabe, his first career start. Ruf will be leaned upon even against righties, and the defense will be an issue.
There were more sure-handed outfielders in Sacramento, namely Steven Duggar and Jaylin Davis, but the Giants preferred Robertson’s flexibility.
“He can slot into lineup and give Crawford a blow, get him off his feet, play short for us, be a right-handed bat against a tough left-hander,” Kapler said over Zoom before the Giants tried to jump back into owning a wild-card spot, tied with Cincinnati for the eighth seed. “And then he can also move around the diamond, he can play second, he can play third. Something happens, he can move out to the outfield.”
Both Crawford and Belt, who were sitting against Jesus Luzardo, would be available off the bench, Kapler said, finding a time to give them a break on a day game after a night game.
The Giants’ bullpen is drained, the starters lasting nine total innings in the past three games. Kapler said Tyler Anderson, who was ejected after two innings Thursday, could be a bullpen option as soon as Sunday.
Kapler said he wasn’t sure yet if Peralta would be available after throwing 49 pitches Thursday.
Kapler said Johnny Cueto (hip) is “good to go” Sunday.