Jason

Ellison

Outfielders Jason Ellison and Tony Torcato, shortstop Cody Ransom, catcher Trey Lunsford and reliever Chad Zerbe are probable callups, though no names have been mentioned yet. None of the above would have any value.

Sort of surprising, but we have no complaints. Ellison is just a fifth outfielder, nothing more. The Giants will bring him back next month.

Clay Timpner and Jed Hansen homered for Fresno, and Fred Lewis and Lance Niekro drove in four runs apiece. Ellison is batting .409 in 176 at-bats since being sent down at the All-Star break. The Giants will recall him next month, but they probably won’t give him much time in the outfield.

Ellison, who spent nine days with the Giants in May of last year, hit .315/.368/.459 with 27 steals for Fresno. He’ll be a pinch-runner.

Most of Ellison’s playing time the rest of the year could come as a late-game replacement for Barry Bonds.

Ellison, who takes Michael Tucker’s roster spot, spent just the minimum 10 days in the minors. He’ll play behind Randy Winn and see some time in right field.

It’s the first day he’s eligible to rejoin the roster. Ellison and Todd Linden will split the at-bats that had been going to Tucker.

The speedy Ellison is a future fourth outfielder. He’ll be the Giants’ fifth outfielder while Marvin Benard is out. No fantasy value.

Ellison was living off his hot start in April until a few days ago when he was benched on Thursday and Friday. He responded by producing six hits, four of which went for extra bases, in three starts since. We don’t think he’s going to remain a useful regular, but he’s worth using in NL-only leagues while starting.

He hasn’t been playing well at all this month, so Ellison will need a few more games like this to keep his job.