SF Giants news: Chapman rehab start, speedy outfielder optioned, catcher DFA'd

The SF Giants have had a lot going on as of late. Let's take a look at three recent news nuggets for the team as they look to get back on track early in the month of July ahead of the All-Star break.

SF Giants news: Chapman, Johnson, Porter

Matt Chapman rehab start

SF Giants third baseman Matt Chapman will play a rehab game with Triple-A Sacramento in Reno today. The hope is that if he feels good physically after that rehab start, he could even rejoin the Giants this weekend in Sacramento as they take on the Athletics.

Chapman has been on the IL since June 10th with a hand injury after he slid back into first base on a pickoff attempt and jammed his right hand into the base. The Giants have had bad injury luck at third base as of late, so getting Chapman back would be huge given what he brings to the table on offense and defense.

Daniel Johnson optioned

The Giants optioned speedy outfielder Daniel Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento. They did this so they could call up the versatile infielder Sergio Alcántara from the minors as they deal with a lack of infield depth.

Johnson has not done a ton for the Giants as he has just five hits in 31 plate appearances including two doubles and one home run. Yet, his speed made him an asset on the base paths and in the outfield. He was not getting a ton of playing time though with Heliot Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee, and Mike Yastrzemski already on the team so adding more infield depth makes sense.

Alcántara is only batting .206 in Triple-A so do not expect much with the bat, but he does play multiple infield positions so he at least gives the team more options in the infield.

Logan Porter DFA'd

To make room on the 40-man roster for Alcántara, the Giants designated catcher Logan Porter for assignment. Porter had a brief stint with the Giants this year as he had one hit in seven at-bats, but with the recent signing of long-time Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, Porter was simply the odd man out on the 40-man roster since Barnes will have to be added to the 40-man roster at some point as well.

Obviously, the most signinficant development of all of these is the Chapman news. He brings so much to the table for the team on the field but he is also a leader in the clubhouse so getting back a guy who everyone looks to as a tone-setter could be just what the Giants need as they try to rebound from a rough couple weeks of baseball.