SF Giants recall former top infield prospect, send Mike Yastrzemski to the injured list

The SF Giants were hoping that Mike Yastrzemski could avoid the injured list, but that did not come to fruition. The Giants outfielder was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain and they recalled former top infield prospect Isan Díaz in a corresponding roster move according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants recall former top infield prospect, send Mike Yastrzemski to the injured list

This will be Yastrzemski's second trip to the injured list in 2023. The Giants have a lot of depth in the outfield, but Yastrzemski's role is a tough one to replace. Aside from potentially Luis Matos, no other outfielder offers the type of offensive and defensive value that the 32-year-old produces.

The 2023 campaign has been a strong year so far for Yastrzemski. The left-handed bat is slashing .259/.324/.482 (118 OPS+) with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, and 37 runs in 217 plate appearances. This includes an 8.3 percent walk rate against a 26.3 percent strikeout rate. He has been excellent in clutch situations this year, posting an .872 OPS with runners in scoring position.

In the field, Yastrzemski continues to post solid marks in center field as he has been worth +3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and +1 Outs Above Average (OAA). While he has done well in center field, the better defensive alignment for the Giants could be with him in right field and Matos in center field.

It feels like a long-awaited Giants debut for Isan Díaz. The Giants acquired him from the Miami Marlins at the beginning of last season in exchange for cash considerations. He performed well for the Sacramento River Cats as he tallied a .950 OPS with 23 home runs in 332 plate appearances last season.

The Giants added him to the 40-man roster in the winter. Of course, this is not Díaz's first crack at the majors. He came up as a top prospect for the Marlins, but struggled to the tune of a .562 OPS across four seasons with Miami before they decided to part ways.

The Giants will likely use him at second base, but he does have major league experience at third base as well. They need another left-handed-hitting infielder and Díaz checks that box. He recorded four hitless at-bats in Friday's 8-5 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks.