Giants acquire Tyler Austin in trade from Twins; Connor Joe DFA'd

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SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants started the season with two surprises in the outfield. Neither player lasted even two weeks.

Rookie Connor Joe was designated for assignment on Monday morning as the Giants acquired outfielder/first baseman Tyler Austin from the Twins.

Austin, 27, was DFA’d over the weekend. He has 409 big league plate appearances with the Yankees and Twins, totaling 24 homers and a .760 OPS.

Joe had one hit in 15 at-bats before suffering the same fate as fellow Opening Day starter Micheal Reed, who was designated last week after the Kevin Pillar trade.

While Reed cleared waivers and joined Triple-A Sacramento, it’s unlikely the Giants keep Joe. As a Rule 5 pick, he has to be offered back to the Dodgers if he is not traded.

Austin will be active tonight and brings some right-handed thump to a lineup that has struggled mightily against lefties. He had one hit in four at-bats this season before the Twins let him go. 

[RELATED: Giants' woes on offense explained by this futile first-inning stat]

The Giants sent minor league outfielder Malique Ziegler to Minnesota to complete the trade. 

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