The SF Giants activated left-handed relief pitcher Scott Alexander from the injured list prior to the team's game against the Mariners on Tuesday. Alexander was placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain in mid-June. He made a one rehab appearance at Triple-A, recording a walk and a strikeout in one shutout inning. The Giants optioned outfielder Bryce Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.
Alexander's return will give manager Gabe Kapler a fresh arm in a tired bullpen. A nine-year MLB veteran, Alexander has a 3.52 ERA (3.69 FIP) in 27 appearances this season with 11 strikeouts and five walks in 23 innings pitched.
"It's exciting to have Scott back," Kapler said during his pregame media availability on Tuesday. "He's been pitching really well for us for quite some time. Always dependable. You know it's nice to have Taylor pitching so well, but when you have two seasoned, capable left-handed pitchers in your pen, it just gives you a lot of flexibility."
Johnson is one of the fastest and best defensive outfielders in the Giants organization but has found himself oscillating between Triple-A and the majors this season. A sixth-round pick back in the 2017 MLB Draft, Johnson is limited by below-average power but has produced at Triple-A. This season, he has a .313/.397/.516 line with four doubles, three home runs, and five stolen bases in 16 games with the River Cats. He has yet to translate that production to the majors, though, hitting .148/.209/.213 with a double, home run, five walks, and 22 strikeouts in 67 career MLB plate appearances.
The SF Giants have now optioned Bryce Johnson to the minor leagues four times this season. A player must be placed on waivers, where Johnson would likely be claimed by another team if they are optioned more than five times. While that limit could impact the organization's roster flexibility later this season, for now, it's the move they made to get Scott Alexander back into the bullpen.
More must-reads: