SF Giants welcome back Wilmer Flores, send left-handed bat to Triple-A

The SF Giants welcomed back a key bat on Tuesday as Wilmer Flores was activated from the injured list. Isan Díaz was optioned back to Triple-A in a corresponding roster move according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants welcome back Wilmer Flores, send left-handed bat to Triple-A

Flores had missed minimal time after hitting a ball off of his foot in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Mitch Haniger's likely to sideline him for most of the remainder of the season, the focus shifts to Flores in terms of production.

Due to J.D. Davis' strong play at third base and consistent bat, Thairo Estrada's all-around contributions, and LaMonte Wade Jr.'s improved bat, playing time seemingly dried up for Flores. However, injuries do happen and it is a good thing that the Giants have a productive bat like Flores.

Despite some sporadic at-bats earlier in the year, the right-handed hitter has been consistent, slashing .258/.324/.452 (111 OPS+) with seven home runs, 23 RBI, and 20 runs in 173 plate appearances. This includes a solid 9.3 percent walk rate against a 16.8 percent strikeout rate.

Not only that, but Flores is typically a reliable bat in clutch situations and someone who is relatively platoon-proof. Defensively, the Giants have limited him primarily to first base with some time at both second and third base. However, it feels like they see him as more of a first baseman/designated hitter at this stage in his career.

To make room on the roster, the Giants optioned Isan Díaz back to Sacramento. He was recalled over the weekend to give the Giants another left-handed bat against a right-heavy Arizona Diamondbacks pitching staff.

In that time, he recorded eight hitless at-bats with four strikeouts while seeing time at both second base and third base. The 27-year-old has missed most of this season due to injury, but he did tally eight hits, including three home runs, in 24 at-bats with Sacramento.

Díaz is coming off of a successful 2022 campaign with Sacramento where he posted a .950 OPS with 23 home runs in 332 plate appearances. The Giants rewarded him in the offseason by adding him to the 40-man roster. Given this, he will likely reappear for the Giants at some point this year.