Matt Chapman exits game with abdominal strain

Lee has been in a bit of a funk at the plate, going just 7-for-44 with one extra-base hit over his last 12 games, so the Giants will give him a night off to clear his head. Drew Gilbert will start in his place in center field and will bat eighth for the Giants against Ryan Feltner and the Rockies.

Bericoto has a three-game hitting streak, where he has gone 5-for-12 with three RBI and a steal. He has also hit 14-for-37 (.378) with three home runs, six runs scored, and eight RBI in 10 games since becoming a regular starter with Matt Chapman (abs) on the injured list. It would seem like the Giants could find another hitter to give an off day to, but they will start Drew Gilbert in center field with Bericoto on the bench.

In addition to the homer, Gilbert also doubled and singled twice. The 25-year-old former top prospect has had some spurts of success in his first full season of MLB action, but overall production of .243/.327/.387 over 173 at-bats leaves a bit to desired. He’s still a name that’s worth keeping an eye on in keeper/dynasty formats.

Chapman receives some time off to rest and recover after playing through an abdominal issue since April. The 33-year-old defensive stalwart has hit .235/.324/.368 with seven homers and 42 RBI across 352 plate appearances through 84 games. He figures to be on the move to a contender ahead of next month’s trade deadline.

San Francisco was down five runs at the time, but Chapman seemed to suffer a right leg injury while making a play at third base to end the sixth inning. He stayed in momentarily to bat in the ensuing frame before leaving the contest. Luis Arraez was forced to move over to the hot corner with outfielder Jonah Cox entering the game at second base since the Giants were playing without any backup infielders with Willy Adames (back) hurt. Not great.

Ramos, out since May 16 with a quad strain, has gone 7-for-23 with a homer in six minor league games, which is likely two or three more than he would have played in if the Giants were more excited about getting him back. There aren’t going to be enough at-bats to go around with both Ramos and Victor Bericoto on the roster, so sending down Bericoto seems the likely option. Even though he’s one of the Giants’ best hitters, Ramos might just be a part-timer while everyone is healthy. Starting Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee and Casey Schmitt together in the outfield isn’t something the team will be able to do too often.

Arraez was hurt when he fouled a ball off his foot on Tuesday. His return means Casey Schmitt is shifting back to the outfield. That’d seem like bad news for Victor Bericoto, but since he homered the last two days, the Giants are sacrificing some defense by sitting Drew Gilbert and playing Jung Joo Lee in center tonight.

The A’s were up 1-0 before Rafael Devers homered to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Bericoto ended things three batters later with his second homer in 22 plate appearances since being called up on May 22. Bericoto has strictly played against lefties since joining the Giants, but the homer tonight came off against a righty in Elvis Alvarado. It doesn’t figure to lead to a big boost in playing time, and he still might be sent down once Heliot Ramos comes off the IL. He was the hero tonight, though.

Olney adds that Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray are also obvious trade candidates. All indications are that Logan Webb is one of the few untouchables for San Francisco as they pivot towards more of a long-term build. The Giants sit at 29–43, nine games out of a playoff spot. Nothing appears imminent, but barring a dramatic turnaround, San Francisco is shaping up to be a seller ahead of the trade deadline in early August.

The line drive homer would have gone out of only three ballparks, but it was a 106.8-mph bullet. Chapman now has seven homers, six of which have come since the beginning of July. He was leading off today against a left-handed opener, which was an oddity. He’s been batting seventh against righties, but he’ll probably return to the middle of the order as soon as Tuesday.