SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have added another option to an outfield mix that has gotten deeper in the last week.
They claimed former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr, who had a huge year in 2017 but has struggled since and was designated for assignment a week ago.
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The Giants have not yet announced a corresponding move, but there are a few options. With two days off next week, they could option a pitcher out and go with an extra outfielder for a few days. They also could give Brandon Belt time to rest an inflamed knee that required an MRI on Friday night, with Tyler Austin moving to first base. If that's not the move, it's hard to see how Altherr immediately fits in the lineup.
Austin has been swinging well, and the Giants said they're committed to giving Mac Williamson a look in left field. While Altherr has played some center field in his career, he primarily has been a corner guy, and Steven Duggar has been entrenched in right. Duggar does, though, have minor league options.
Altherr, 28, hit 19 homers in 2017 and had a .858 OPS. But he hit just .181 last season and was 1-for-29 when the Phillies let him go last week.