SF Giants recall utility infielder, place Justin Verlander on paternity list

The SF Giants made a roster move on Friday by recalling utility infielder Brett Wisely while placing starting pitcher Justin Verlander on the paternity list. The Giants now have a little more depth up the middle in the infield.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported the news on social media and it is reflected on the team's transaction log.

SF Giants recall middle infielder and place Justin Verlander on paternity list

Wisely was with the Giants earlier this season when he got called up due to an injury. He did not do much at the plate as he did not record a hit in 12 plate appearances but he did drive in two runs before he was sent back to Triple-A.

In Triple-A with the Sacramento River Cats, Wisely has slashed .230/.308/.357 with five home runs and 30 runs batted in this season. Those numbers are not phenomenal, but the Giants do not have a ton of other options when it comes to their middle infield depth.

Wisely was a solid role-player for the Giants last season. He filled in nicely at shortstop when he needed to and swung a hot bat early in the season even though it cooled off by the end of the year. He brings speed and solid defense to the table and he is a guy who is not afraid to put down a bunt. We will see if he even gets much playing time though as his stint with the team could be short-lived.

Verlander and his wife Kate Upton welcomed their second child on Thursday. His next scheduled start will be on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins so he should be back to make that start.

He made his first start with the Giants in a month on Wednesday in a losing effort against the Cleveland Guardians. He surrendered three earned runs in 4 and 2/3 innings and definitely looked a little bit rusty.

After the Giants traded Kyle Harrison to the Boston Red Sox in the blockbuster deal for Rafael Devers, they are really going to need Verlander to step up in the rotation. The 42-year-old has shown some flashes of his old self this season, but he still sports an unremarkable 4.45 ERA on the season in 11 starts.

The Giants are going to need strong starts from Verlander for the rest of this season if they want to make the playoffs, so let's hope him becoming a father for the second time puts him in a good frame of mind for the rest of the year.