SF Giants bring back left-handed-hitting outfield with Joc Pederson on the IL

It might be a couple more weeks before the SF Giants lineup is at full strength as they had to make a roster move on Saturday morning. Power-hitting outfielder Joc Pederson was placed on the injured list with wrist inflammation. Matt Beaty was recalled in a corresponding roster move according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants bring back left-handed-hitting outfield with Joc Pederson on the IL

Pederson has been one of the Giants' best hitters so far in 2023, so this is really a tough blow for the team. The left-handed bat has slashed .242/.350/.545 (138 OPS+) with two home runs, nine RBI, and eight runs in 40 plate appearances.

He has appeared exclusively out of the DH spot in 2023. That is a trend we should continue to see when he returns. Pederson spent a lot of time in the corner outfield spots last year, but it was clear that a shift to the DH was needed. The Giants did experiment with him at first base in spring training, but this is likely just preparation in case of an emergency.

The Giants do not have a lot of middle-of-the-order hitters, but Pederson is someone who can comfortably slotted into the cleanup spot. For now, he will join Austin Slater and Mitch Haniger as position players on the injured list. Slater began a rehab assignment on Friday night and Haniger should be following him shortly.

Matt Beaty was recalled in a corresponding roster move. The left-handed bat was optioned to Triple-A earlier this week due in part to the fact that the Giants were slated to face a handful of left-handed pitchers.

However, he returns after a brief stay in Triple-A. The Giants swung a last-minute trade to acquire the 29-year-old before Opening Day from the Kansas City Royals for cash. Despite a solid spring, the Royals decided that he would not make the roster, so he was shipped to San Francisco instead.

He recorded one hit in two at-bats before his demotion. With Sacramento, Beaty had five hits in 14 at-bats including a four-hit game earlier in the week. He began Saturday's game batting fifth out of the DH spot. Given the injury to Pederson, Beaty could be an option against righties in the near-term.