The SF Giants placed left-handed pitcher Scott Alexander on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain on Monday, and recalled right-handed pitcher Sean Hjelle ( Giants preseason #28 prospect) from Triple-A Sacramento. Alexander had been playing through a minor hamstring injury but reaggravated it during his appearance in Sunday's 7-3 victory over the Dodgers. The Giants had also brought infielder Isan Díaz to San Francisco, but he will remain on the taxi squad for now.
The Giants drafted Hjelle in the second round back in 2018 and have developed him primarily as a starting pitcher. However, he cracked the Giants' Opening Day roster this season and found himself utilized in both long relief and occasionally in a setup role. He struggled across 10 appearances, posting a 10.13 ERA in 13.1 innings pitched with 16 strikeouts and 10 walks. His struggles opened up an opportunity for another right-handed rookie, Tristan Beck (Giants preseason #19 prospect). Beck has been far more consistent than Hjelle and seems to have usurped him on the organization's depth chart.
With that said, Hjelle has been far more consistent in the minors since returning to Triple-A Sacramento. Back in the rotation, Hjelle has recorded a 4.09 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 10 walks across 33 innings pitched (eight appearances).
Alexander has been a consistent left-handed middle reliever for the Giants since they signed him to a minor-league contract prior to the 2022 season. Over the past two seasons, Alexander has posted a 2.45 ERA with 21 strikeouts and six walks in 40.1 innings pitched (44 games). In his absence, the Giants bullpen now only has one traditional left-handed reliever, Taylor Rogers. Granted, veteran southpaw Sean Manaea has been serving as a bulk innings option out of the pen and could now perhaps see a shift in his usage.
The SF Giants have been hit hard by injuries in June. While the team has been able to overcome their losses so far, manager Gabe Kapler hopes to see his roster get healthier soon. For now, Sean Hjelle will get another big-league opportunity while Scott Alexander is sidelined.
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