Forgotten SF Giants slugger begins rehab assignment in Arizona Complex League

The SF Giants have been without slugger Jerar Encarnacion for about a month. He went on the IL with an oblique strain in the middle of June, but he is beginning a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League.

This news comes via the team's transaction log. It has been easy to forget about Encarnacion ever since the Giants traded for Rafael Devers. Yet, some of us are old enough to remember there was a time this season when the offense was so putrid that there was hope Encarnacion would be a mini-savior for the lineup.

SF Giants slugger Jerar Encarnacion begins rehab assignment

This cautious hope was not completely unjustified since Encarnacion had a really strong showing in spring training that unfortunately came to an end when he injured his hand diving for a ball and missed the first few months of the season.

Yet, Encarnacion did not do much with the Giants this season once he was healthy. In eight games and 22 at-bats, he only recorded three hits. He also had a rough stint in one game at first base as he straight up dropped a ball that was right to him. After that, he was relegated to corner outfield and designated hitter duties exclusively. His cold bat led to his role with the team decreasing very quickly.

It is going to be interesting to see how the Giants handle Encarnacion's return. He is out of minor league options, so if they did not add him to the major league roster they would have to put him on waivers.

Yet, it is very tough to argue that he deserves a spot on the roster over Dominic Smith or Luis Matos who are the two players they would probably consider demoting or placing on waivers to make room for him.

Maybe if the Giants decide to place Rafael Devers on the IL to start the second half that would make the requisite room for Encarnacion.

No matter what, the Giants are going to have to decide what to do soon. Maybe they want to give him one more shot considering he has had such tough luck with injuries this year, but he may simply be the odd man out.

If that is the case it is unfortunate because Encarnacion flashed some really impressive power with the team last season and definitely seems like a guy who could help a team if he got hot with the bat. The Giants just may simply not be the right fit given the way their roster is currently constructed.

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