Injuries pile up as longtime SF Giants first baseman Brandon Belt hits the shelf

Just as the SF Giants were inching toward a full-strength lineup, they were bitten by the injury bug yet against this weekend. Brandon Belt will join LaMonte Wade Jr. (knee contusion) and Curt Casali (concussion) on the injured list as he battles knee soreness.

Injuries pile up as longtime SF Giants first baseman Brandon Belt hits the shelf

Kevin Padlo was recalled on Sunday to take Belt's spot on the active roster. This is a tough break for Belt as he had recently returned from the COVID list about 10 days ago. The Giants are "hopeful" that the veteran first baseman will return soon, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

In the meantime, the Giants will have to face off against a tough New York Mets team without one of the better hitters in the lineup. On the year, Belt has slashed .228/.342/.386 (110 OPS+) with four home runs, 11 RBI, and 14 runs in 120 plate appearances. This includes a solid 13.3 percent walk rate against a 26.7 percent strikeout rate.

Since returning from the COVID list, Belt did not look right at the plate as he was swinging and missing more than usual and not driving the ball as well as he was earlier in the year. He posted a .200/.293/.229 line with just two RBI and one extra-base hit during that time.

On the other hand, the Giants will get another look at Padlo. The right-handed bat was acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the end of April in exchange for cash. He recorded one hit in five at-bats in two games during his first stint.

The 25-year-old infielder has really hit the ball well with the Sacramento River Cats since joining the organization. In 61 plate appearances, Padlo has posted a .291/.361/.673 with six homers, 13 RBI, and 14 runs. Three of those home runs came in one game at the beginning of the month:

Padlo has spent considerable time at third base and first base as a pro with a little bit of time at second base as well. The Giants have also challenged him to play left field as he has appeared in 6 games at the position with the River Cats. He had not played left field previously.

Versatility will help a player get his name into the lineup and Padlo does offer some positional flexibility. In the meantime, the Giants will be without Belt as he battles some lingering knee soreness, but he is not expected to miss substantial time.