The SF Giants have decision to make on former top outfield prospect

The good news is that former top outfield prospect Heliot Ramos is set to return from the injured list soon enough. The interesting tidbit from this is that they will need to make a move on the 40-man roster to add him back.

The SF Giants have decision to make on former top outfield prospect

Ramos sustained an oblique injury in May. The Giants never revealed the severity of the injury, but he was immediately placed on the 60-day injured list in a flurry of moves that involved both Ryan Walker and Patrick Bailey being added to the 40-man roster.

The 23-year-old prospect was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 19, meaning that he is eligible to be activated in the next couple of days. And, the Giants will need to make a move soon given that he began a rehab assignment on June 28.

Position players are allowed up to 20 days for a rehab assignment. At that point, he will need to be added back to the 40-man roster or placed on waivers. The former option is almost certainly the one that the Giants will pursue.

Oddly enough, Ramos has been with the Sacramento River Cats for the past couple of weeks. While the Giants will likely option him back to Triple-A when he is eligible to return, he is still considered on a rehab assignment despite currently being with Sacramento.

Ramos appeared briefly with the Giants earlier this year where he recorded five hits, including two doubles, in 27 plate appearances. Despite once being considered one of the better prospects in baseball, Ramos still has not received an extended look in a Giants uniform as he accumulated just 49 plate appearances across two seasons.

That said, he has had one of his best stretches in Triple-A since returning for his rehab assignment. Over the last nine games, the right-handed bat has recorded 15 hits, including nine extra-base hits, with 10 RBI in 38 plate appearances.

The adjustment curve for Ramos in Triple-A has been tough as he has posted just a .712 OPS in parts of three seasons with Sacramento. The Giants hope that his recent stretch is a sign that he is beginning to turn the corner against upper-level pitching.

There may not be an immediate need for Ramos on the active roster. However, the Giants will likely need him at some point later this season.