Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — The Giants got their fourth-string first baseman back, which probably is grounds for celebration.
Brandon Belt, Darin Ruf and Tommy La Stella still will be out for varying time periods, but Wilmer Flores is returning to the Giants for Saturday’s third game in the series at Dodger Stadium.
Flores was activated the first day he could be after a hamstring strain sent him to the 10-day injured list. He is batting fifth and playing first as the Giants match up against lefty Julio Urias. The Dodgers are throwing Clayton Kershaw on Sunday, so the righty slugger’s return is nicely timed.
The Giants also activated Logan Webb, who will be starting Saturday, although he could be followed by Scott Kazmir.
“We’re going to see how [Webb] responds to every inning,” Gabe Kapler said before the game, which certainly leaves their options open.
Utility man Jason Vosler and bullpen righty Nick Tropeano were optioned to create roster room.
Tropeano had been called up to partner with Kazmir and has looked solid out of the bullpen, but he might be more valued for being a swing man. Vosler was 0-for-7 since his dramatic, go-ahead home run Wednesday in Arizona and was more a victim of LaMonte Wade Jr.’s emergence. Wade was outstanding at the plate and in the field Friday night, and the Giants are valuing his platoon bat at first over Vosler’s platoon bat that could be used more at third base.
A lot will hinge upon whether Flores hits. He mostly did not before his IL stint, when he posted a .651 OPS in 120 plate appearances. He did not have a rehab assignment before coming back, though he has been taking batting practice.
“It does improve our bench, and I think it is a step closer to kind of getting the group back together,” Kapler said over Zoom. “I know that we’re a ways away from having Tommy La Stella back and now we’re a couple of weeks away from having Darin Ruf back but every time we activate somebody from the IL … it’s encouraging.”
The full lineup:
1. Austin Slater, LF
2. Buster Posey, C
3. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Wilmer Flores, 1B
6. Donovan Solano, 2B
7. Brandon Crawford, SS
8. Mauricio Dubon, CF
9. Logan Webb, P