SF Giants demote hot-hitting infielder

The SF Giants had some roster flexibility with a hot-hitting infielder and they leveraged it on Tuesday in a series of roster moves.

SF Giants demote hot-hitting infielder

Jason Vosler was optioned to Triple-A after blasting two home runs in a series against the Miami Marlins last weekend. Alex Cobb hit the injured list with a neck strain as well.

Darin Ruf was reinstated from the bereavement list after the unexpected passing of his father and lefty reliever Sam Long was recalled.

Vosler posted a .612 OPS in 82 plate appearances in 2021, but he has followed that up with a much stronger campaign in 2022. The lefty bat is slashing .294/.362/.569 (158 OPS+) with four home runs, eight RBI, and nine runs in 58 plate appearances so far.

He has looked much more comfortable at the plate and there might be a future role for him as a platoon player. Vosler has mashed righties to the tune of a .933 OPS in 2022.

That said, the 28-year-old infielder has struggled with the glove at third base. Vosler has appeared at second base, third base, first base, and left field with the Sacramento River Cats, whereas he has played primarily at the hot corner with San Francisco.

Cobb hits the injured after missing a start over the weekend against the Marlins. The right-handed hurler has registered a 5.73 ERA in eight starts with the Giants, but the belief is that he should be able to be activated when eligible according to Danny Emerman of KNBR.

Long will give the Giants extra depth with Cobb on the shelf, but they might opt for a couple of bullpen games in his absence. The lefty could serve as the bulk innings arm in these games.

Lastly, the return of Ruf should give the Giants an extra power bat from the right side. The 35-year-old is slashing .219/.346/.311 (88 OPS+) with three homers, 17 RBI, and 26 runs in 182 plate appearances.

His triple-slash-line is well below the .904 OPS he produced last season, but Ruf continues to control the strike zone as he has posted a 15.4 percent walk rate against a 24.7 percent strikeout rate this season.

The righty got off to a slow start in April, but he rebounded with an .837 OPS in May. Hopefully, that production continues into June.

The Giants made a tough decision in demoting Vosler, but the Giants had enough coverage from the left side, so it made some sense. He has made a nice impression in 2022 and should be back soon.