Brandon Belt was scratched from the Giants’ starting lineup, reportedly due to a knee flare-up.
The veteran is currently mired in an 0-for-15 slump over the past four games. In his 12 MLB seasons, Belt has never had a hitless drought extend past five games.
Belt has gotten his right knee drained multiple times this season and spent nearly a month between May and June on the injured list. He’s had multiple surgeries on the knee in the past to repair ligaments.
Belt was initially included in SF’s lineup sent out to MLB; he was slotted in the No. 8 spot, where he hit in the Giants’ most recent game. But later, the club submitted a revised lineup with Wilmer Flores at first base and Thairo Estrada playing second. That alignment will begin a two-game series in Detroit against the Tigers.
San Francisco Chronicle beat reporter Susan Slusser reported from Detroit that Belt is dealing with knee soreness, but it “doesn’t sound major.” He could be available off the bench, Slusser added.
Even when “healthy,” Belt hasn’t run the bases well this season. But the current struggles at the plate have popped up recently. In his last 11 games, he’s 2-for-38 with 11 strikeouts and five walks. That’s coming off a productive July in which Belt hit three home runs and posted a .784 OPS.
Against righty Zac Gallen last week, Belt struck out on a foul bunt — with two outs and two runners in scoring position — because he wasn’t seeing the ball well enough to think he could get a hit swinging.
If Belt does have to hit the injured list, the Giants’ options at first base include Flores, LaMonte Wade Jr., J.D. Davis and Tommy La Stella. Joc Pederson has also taken practice reps at first recently, which manager Gabe Kapler downplayed as playful.
Belt has played in 78 of SF’s 121 games, posting career-lows in both batting average (.213) and OPS (.676). Since he’s playing on the qualifying offer, Belt is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
