SAN DIEGO -- By the fifth game of the season, the Giants had Aaron Hill, a career infielder, starting in left field. They are making a move to help solve that problem.
Melvin Upton Jr. is close to a minor league deal with the organization, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area. Upton Jr. is expected to sign next week and report to Triple-A Sacramento. The pending deal was first reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
The Giants had little interest in Upton Jr. when he was released by the Blue Jays before the start of the season. But Giants left fielders don't have a hit through five games, and the two players tasked with forming a platoon -- Jarrett Parker and Chris Marrero -- are 0-for-19 with 10 strikeouts. Michael Morse and Mac Williamson were supposed to be part of the solution, but both are currently hurt.
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Before Saturday's game, Bochy said he's not panicking about left field. He noted that Parker took better swings Friday.
"We're barely closing in on a week, come on," Bochy said. "All these guys are going to have a rough week. It just so happens it's the first week, so it's drawing more attention to it."
Upton Jr., 32, hit .238 with the Padres and Blue Jays last season, with 20 homers and 27 stolen bases. When on his game, he brings speed and the ability to play all over the outfield. The Giants also recently signed veteran Drew Stubbs to a minor league deal. Bochy spoke generally about the two because the Upton Jr. deal is not done yet.
"Any time you have depth and experience in your system, that's pretty good inventory," Bochy said.
