As the Giants continue calling up young outfielders from Triple-A in an attempt to solve their ongoing offensive struggles, veteran Justin Ruggiano was designated for assignment by the team on Friday. The right-handed nine-year MLB veteran played 19 games with San Francisco this season and hit just .217 with a pair of home runs.
He saw his playing time increase when Denard Span and then Hunter Pence dealt with injuries, but failed to produce consistently. Given that the Giants have called up youngsters Orlando Calixte and Austin Slater this week, the team decided it was time to move on from Ruggiano.
Meanwhile, as the Giants are set to begin a series in Philadelphia tonight against the Phillies, it appears bruce Bochy is fully ready to use his new players to hold down the corner outfield spots alongside Denard Span in the middle. Calixte, who had two hits in his first game with the Giants on Tuesday, is in the lineup Friday for the third game in a row and will play left field.
Slater will also play Friday and start in right field in his major league debut. The Stanford product and 2014 eighth-round selection is batting eighth.
Slater makes his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/3KtoHsruNq
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) June 2, 2017
Slater was having a good season with Triple-A Sacramento before being called up to join the Giants for their road trip. Slater was batting .322 with four home runs, 26 RBI and 12 doubles in the Pacific Coast League. Calixte had success in his first game, so we’ll see if Slater can match that and come through with some production as the struggling Giants seek a much-needed series win against the Phillies.