The SF Giants finally activated outfielder Michael Conforto from the injured list on Friday, prior to their four-game series against the Colorado Rockies. Conforto had been on the injured list since late August when he went down with a left hamstring strain . In a corresponding move, the Giants optioned rookie infielder Casey Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento.
Conforto has been a mild disappointment with the Giants this season. After signing a two-year, $36 million deal in free agency last winter, Conforto and San Francisco hoped he could rekindle his early-career form. Instead, he has been a fairly average producer at the plate, hitting .251/.343/.405 with 12 doubles and 15 home runs in 111 games. Moreover, most of his homer production came during a scorching hot two-week span in May.
Still, Conforto has one of the best track records on the Giants roster and gives manager Gabe Kapler another formidable bat to deploy in the starting lineup or as a pinch-hitter late in games.
Conforto's contract does include a player option for the 2024 season, which seems likely to be declined. However, with a dearth of top hitters slated to hit free agency this offseason, it's not inconceivable that Conforto could catch fire and position himself to opt out.
Schmitt has had an up-and-down season with the Giants this year. He made his big-league debut and quickly caught fire before falling into a tremendous slump that led him to be demoted. In his most recent stint, though, Schmitt was showing some promise at the plate with several impressive at-bats. However, it seems like the team prefers Paul DeJong's more consistent defense at shortstop over Schmitt's upside at the moment.
The SF Giants are currently in a tightly contested race for the final National League Wild Card spot. With less than 20 games remaining, they are looking for all the help they can get. Now that Michael Conforto is healthy once again, the team is arguably healthier than they have been all season. That should go a long way toward helping them punch their ticket to the postseason.
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