The SF Giants scratched first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. from the lineup on Tuesday night with right side tightness. Wade was scheduled to lead off for the Giants against the San Diego Padres but was removed roughly an hour before the first pitch. It's unclear when Wade's side began bothering him. David Villar entered the starting lineup at first base in his place, batting ninth.
Wade has arguably been the best player on the Giants this season. After an injury-marred 2022 campaign, Wade is hitting .280/.415/.463 with 11 doubles, a triple, and nine home runs in 68 games this season, with nearly as many walks (47) as strikeouts (49). The Giants have been depleted by injuries over the past couple of weeks and would find it exceedingly difficult to replace Wade's presence at the top of the lineup.
Villar has struggled mightily this season and has been optioned to Triple-A multiple times. While he has five home runs in 117 big-league plate appearances this season, Villar has an abysmal .154/.239/.346 triple-slash.
The SF Giants will put their eight-game winning streak on the line tonight at Oracle Park against the San Diego Padres. However, they will have to do it without one of their most important players after LaMonte Wade Jr. was scratched from the lineup with right side tightness.
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