SF Giants place Tyler Fitzgerald on injured list, recall versatile utility bat

The SF Giants lineup will look a little different over the next few weeks, as Tyler Fitzgerald was placed on the injured list with a rib fracture. Versatile utility bat Brett Wisely was recalled in his place, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants place Tyler Fitzgerald on injured list, recall versatile utility bat

Fitzgerald sustained the injury in a game against the Texas Rangers over the weekend. Christian Koss took his place in the lineup for the final two games of that series.

Incredibly, Fitzgerald returned to the lineup in the two-game series against the San Diego Padres. He managed to play through the pain, but a move to the injured list will allow him to rest and recover.

The right-handed has put together a productive season at the plate, slashing .284/.341/.432 (118 wRC+) with two home runs, seven RBI, and 14 runs in 90 plate appearances. He also swiped five bases in six opportunities, and continues to put pressure on the defense with his speed.

Fitzgerald's strikeout rate has been a concern in the past, but he managed to get that number down to 22.2 percent. He had been vulnerable to pitches up in the zone, but he has done a better job of covering that area.

Wisely will take Fitzgerald's place on the roster. That said, Koss could see the bulk of the playing time at second base in Fitzgerald's absence.

Wisely gives the Giants another left-handed bat in a lineup that leans a little too heavy on right-handed hitters. Aside from LaMonte Wade Jr., he is the only left-handed-hitting infielder on the roster at the moment.

The 25-year-old infielder has registered a .235/.325/.431 line (100 wRC+) with five home runs, 19 RBI, and 18 runs in 118 plate appearances with the Sacramento River Cats this season. He is not making a lot of consistently hard contact, but he does have some pullside power.

Wisely has registered a .582 OPS in parts of two seasons with the Giants. His bat took a step forward last season, and he has shown to be an above-average fielder at both middle-infield positions.

If he gave the Giants average production against right-handed pitching, he would see a lot of playing time in those matchups. That has not been the case during his previous two stints with San Francisco.