Giants Notes: Estrada out vs. White Sox; Harrison makes AAA debut

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CHICAGO -- The Giants encourage their players to be extremely honest about their health with no fear of repercussions, but sometimes it's not so easy. Thairo Estrada is near the top of the list when it comes to grinders, so when he told manager Gabe Kapler on Wednesday morning that he probably could use an extra day, Kapler knew he definitely needed to change his lineup.

Estrada fouled a pitch off his left calf in Monday's blowout win and came out after reaching first base. Two days later, the calf is still a bit stiff, Kapler said, noting that Estrada "never asks for" days off. 

"He said he'd be ready to roll tomorrow," Kapler said. "I trust that."

The lineup change moved David Villar to second base with J.D. Davis playing third. Villar started four games at second base last season and did drills there all spring, preparing for days like this. In addition to being the starting third baseman, he's the primary backup to Estrada unless Brett Wisely or Isan Diaz are also on the roster. The Giants would prefer that Wilmer Flores stays on the corners and at DH this year since shifts have been eliminated and range is more important than ever on the dirt.

--- Villar is coming off a two-homer game that included a grand slam. He has 10 homers in his last 30 games, dating back to last September 5. The power that made him the most dangerous hitter in Double-A and Triple-A has certainly translated to the big leagues.

--- Kyle Harrison made his Triple-A debut on Tuesday against a San Diego Padres affiliate that had suspended superstar Fernandon Tatis Jr. leading off. Harrison was removed in the third after walking Tatis for the second time and then also the No. 2 hitter, but overall it was a promising debut. 

Harrison struck out four of the 11 batters he faced but also walked four. He allowed one hit and was charged with one earned run. Harrison mostly relied on his fastball, which averaged 95 mph and topped out at 96.3. He had trouble throwing his slider for strikes, but did snap off a nasty one for a strikeout:

Kapler said he watched some of the highlights of Harrison and other young Giants. He noted that it will be particularly important for the prospects -- Keaton Winn and Cole Waites are notable ones in Triple-A -- to throw strikes in a league that has so many difficult environments that the Giants compare it to playing at Coors Field every other night. 

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--- Hunter Bishop, the organization's first-round pick in 2019, had elbow reconstructive surgery and will miss the whole season. Bishop wrote on his Instagram page that the diagnosis was "absolutely heartbreaking" but he "will be back, bigger, better, stronger and more determined to be the teammate/player I know I am."

Bishop has played just 134 games since being drafted, with one bit of brutal injury luck after the next. His first full season was wiped out by the pandemic, too. It's been a tough run, but the outfielder is still just 24 years old.

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