SAN FRANCISCO — The taxi squad was more of a caravan on Friday.
Derek Law got the word in the morning that he needed to head from Sacramento to San Francisco, and as he was on the drive, Austin Slater got the same call. Slater is officially active Friday, taking the roster spot of Josh Osich, who has a groin strain.
Law likely will be the 26th man for Saturday’s doubleheader, although some moves are still up in the air because of Mac Williamson’s state. Williamson was out of the lineup for a second straight game after hitting the padded wall in left while trying to make a catch. He was lightheaded while working out Wednesday and thus went into the concussion protocol, but he has had no symptoms since and manager Bruce Bochy believes Williamson will play Saturday.
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“Right now he’s got zero symptoms,” Bochy said. “But this is part of the deal when you have the possibility of having a concussion.”
Williamson did fielding drills and took BP on Friday afternoon and appeared to be his normal self.
--- In theory, Slater’s stay could be temporary. The Giants are not going to carry six outfielders and they’ll have a decision to make if Williamson is fine and everyone gets through Saturday’s doubleheader unscathed.
But, Slater also probably should be here regardless. It’s hard to argue that he’s not one of the five best outfielders in the organization and he was batting .358 with a 1.077 OPS in Triple-A at the time of his promotion.
San Francisco Giants
“It’s a faster start than I’m usually used to,” he said. “I’m coming out of the gate hot this year so far, and I’m trying to keep the momentum I started last year when I was here.”
Slater batted .282 as a rookie and he can play all three outfield spots. He’s not someone you would really start in center, but he has spelled Steven Duggar there this season for the River Cats and can handle it in a pinch. He also has played second base and shortstop as a professional and played third base in college. Recently, he started taking grounders at first.
“I’m still fresh with the taco at first,” he said.
(Slater was asked to repeat that excellent quote. He laughed and clarified that the taco is the first base glove.)
The point of all this: The Giants should probably take advantage of Slater’s versatility. The Dodgers came into town with three catchers, with Austin Barnes starting at second base and Kyle Farmer playing third. They put an infielder — Chris Taylor — in center field last year and watched him take off. It really does seem like Slater should be on this team in a more varied role.
--- Mark Melancon played catch Thursday for the first time since being shut down at the end of March and said he felt good. He did so again Friday. It will be a slow crawl, but this is progress.
--- Hunter Pence will play four to five innings for the River Cats tonight. You know everything you read above about Williamson and Slater? Well, Pence is obviously in the outfield mix, too, but this is complicated, and the Giants will take their time.
“We’re going to give him a few at-bats there to where he’s comfortable,” Bochy said.
Translation: With what Williamson is doing, the Giants are in no rush with Pence's rehab assignment.
--- Chris Stratton’s wife, Martha Kate, gave birth to an adorable daughter on Wednesday. Stratton is expected back in San Francisco for Saturday’s doubleheader.