The SF Giants have placed designated hitter Joc Pederson on the injured list with right wrist inflammation, per a team release. In a corresponding move the Giants recalled corner bat Matt Beaty from Triple-A Sacramento. The news is not surprising after Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters that Pederson could be heading to the injured list with a wrist injury. Beaty will be in the starting lineup of Saturday's game against the Tigers.
The Giants acquired Beaty in a minor trade with the Kansas City Royals on Opening Day. In spring training with the Royals, Beaty hit 343/.378/.629 triple-slash in 37 plate appearances. Since joining the Giants, Beaty is 1-for-2 at the big-league level and has a .357/.471/.500 triple-slash in 17 plate appearances with Triple-A Sacramento.
Beaty was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Belmont University. Over the next few years, the left-handed bat hit his way to the majors, making his big-league debut in 2019. In his first MLB season, Beaty was a key contributor for Los Angeles, hitting .265/.317/.458 with 19 doubles and 9 home runs in 99 games.
The slugger slumped through the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before bouncing back in 2021. Beaty made 234 plate appearances in 120 games, playing in a strict platoon, recording an above-average .270/.363/.403 triple-slash with 4 doubles and 7 homers. Over the course of his MLB career, Beaty has a .250/.321/.405 line in 605 plate appearances.
Pederson was selected to his second career All-Star game last season, his first with the Giants, hitting .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs. After accepting a qualifying offer during the offseason, Pederson has remained a cog in the middle of the Giants' lineup against right-handed pitchers, recording a .242/.350/.545 triple-slash with two doubles, a triple, and two home runs in 10 games.
The SF Giants are already missing some of the most potent bats in their lineup to injury. With outfielders Austin Slater and Mitch Haniger both on the injured list and Michael Conforto dealing with left calf tightness, Joc Pederson's injury only further depletes San Francisco's offense. Nevertheless, Matt Beaty will hope to try and fill some of that gap.
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