The Giants are, for what feels like the first time in weeks, not facing a left-handed starter Sunday evening in Oracle Park.
And against righty Tylor Megill, the Giants are getting their most potent left-handed batter back.
Joc Pederson, who turned 31 this Friday, has been activated off the 10-day injured list and inserted into San Francisco’s starting lineup. He’ll bat cleanup while serving as the Giants’ designated hitter.
Pederson had been sidelined since April 12 with right wrist inflammation. When going through warmups on the field recently, he’s been wearing black tape around his arm.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Pederson’s wrist is feeling better and described his recovery as on schedule.
“He’s our best left-handed bat against right-handed pitching last year,” Kapler said Sunday. “Guy that other teams don’t want to face. So it feels good to have him back.”
An All-Star last year, Pederson hit .274 with 23 home runs. He’s capable of going on extended power binges; he hit six home runs in the first 16 games of last season.
In a corresponding move, the Giants optioned outfielder Heliot Ramos to Triple-A Sacramento. In nine games — the most extended look of Ramos’ career — the former first round pick hit .192 and posted an on-base percentage of .222. He did, however, smack a double with an exit velocity of 106.8 mph against the Mets Saturday.
“I think Heliot has been fine,” Kapler said.
Arguably even more important for the Giants than Pederson’s return is the looming arrival of Mitch Haniger and Austin Slater — both of whom are at the ballpark Sunday, per Kapler.
“Just coming back to get some treatment in, and they’re both trending in the right direction,” Kapler said. “We’ll see how they’re doing when they get to the ballpark today, and we feel good about where they are, the progress they’ve made.”
Haniger was the Giants’ biggest offseason acquisition. The outfielder hit 39 home runs two years ago and signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with San Francisco.
A variety of fluky injuries have impacted Haniger’s career, and he still has yet to suit up for the Giants. A minor oblique strain got compounded by a back injury.
Slater, meanwhile, only played three Cactus League games due to a hamstring strain and right elbow neuritis. He’s expected to spend a substantial amount of time in center field against left-handed pitching.
Kapler said the Giants’ upcoming four-game series against St. Louis is a possibility for both outfielders to return. Despite SF’s persistent struggles against left-handed pitching, Kapler has said that the team doesn’t want to rush their recoveries, ensuring that they’re fully healthy before ending their rehab assignments.
Likely candidates to be sent down to make room for Haniger and Slater, when they’re ready, include pitchers Tristan Beck or Sean Hjelle and utility man Brett Wisely.
