Pair of struggling SF Giants veterans land on the injured list

The SF Giants will be without a pair of struggling veterans. Both Wilmer Flores (knee) and Thairo Estrada (wrist) were placed on the injured list this week. David Villar and Casey Schmitt were recalled in corresponding roster moves, per the team's transaction log.

Pair of struggling SF Giants veterans land on the injured list

Flores and Estrada have had similar seasons on the field up until this point. Oddly enough, this is the second time that the pair have been placed on the injured list around the same time. Flores and Estrada have been battling knee and wrist ailments, respectively, this year and it has likely affected their peformances on the field.

Flores has slumped to a .206/.277/.318 line (71 wRC+) with four home runs, 26 RBI, and 19 runs in 242 plate appearances. With the additions of Matt Chapman and Jorge Soler in the offseason, Giants manager Bob Melvin has struggled to find a consistent role for Flores.

The veteran bat is one year removed from posting an .863 OPS while setting a career-high in home runs with 23. There is reason to believe that he can turn it around. On the other hand, the club has to consider if someone like Villar could fill a similar role going forward.

Estrada has seemingly not been the same hitter since sustaining a hand fracture in the middle of last season. That slump at the plate has carried over into this year as he has struggled to the tune of a .601 OPS with nine home runs in 346 plate appearances. The righty bat has been unable to control the strike zone as he has swung too often at pitches outside of the zone. Not surprisingly, his walk rate has plummeted to 2.9 percent.

That said, Estrada continues to play above-average defense at second base. While the bat has struggled, he continues to generate value with the glove.

Both Casey Schmitt and David Villar return after having stints with the team earlier this year. Schmitt has tallied a .702 OPS with two home runs in 44 plate appearances, whereas Villar has recorded a .759 OPS with one home run in 27 plate appearances. With the recent injuries, both young position players should see modest playing time going forward.