With Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approaching, the San Francisco Giants activated one of their top trade chips on Friday afternoon.
After sending outfielder Mac Williamson back to AAA Sacramento earlier this week, the Giants filled their open roster spot by activating third baseman Eduardo Nunez ahead of the team’s three-game series in San Diego.
Nunez was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a hamstring strain in June, but was expected to come off the disabled list in early July when the Giants traveled to Detroit to take on the Tigers. However, during a rehab stint with AA Richmond, Nunez re-aggravated the strain and needed more treatment.
On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Nunez began a new rehab stint with A San Jose, and played two games for the Giants’ affiliate while the Major League club rested. Nunez served as the designated hitter on Wednesday and played third base on Thursday, but only lasted six innings.
According to John Shea of The San Francisco Chronicle, Nunez was dealing with a sore calf on Thursday after getting hit with a ball during batting practice, which could explain why he only played for six innings.
Nevertheless, the Giants felt Nunez was ready to come off the disabled list on Friday, and he’s expected to play third base against the Padres.
Nunez is hitting .299 with 17 doubles this season, and he leads the Giants with 17 stolen bases in 20 attempts.
Because Nunez is a free agent at the end of the year, he’s considered one of the Giants’ best trade chips. San Francisco has a handful of top prospects capable of playing third base in the future, and despite Nunez’s desire to remain with the organization, the Giants may need to ship Nunez out in the coming weeks.
With Williamson back in AAA, the Giants have just three outfielders on their 25-man roster, as Gorkys Hernandez, Denard Span and Hunter Pence are the only true outfielders manager Bruce Bochy has at his disposal. Both Nunez and reserve infielder Kelby Tomlinson are capable of playing left field, though, so they could end up sharing some of the duties with Hernandez.
The Giants will need to make another transaction on Saturday when the team activates left-handed starter Madison Bumgarner from the disabled list. With Matt Cain headed to the bullpen, San Francisco will likely option infielder Miguel Gomez back to the Minor League level.
Gomez replaced relief pitcher Chris Stratton after Stratton started in place of an ill Johnny Cueto four days prior to the All-Star break, but Bochy has indicated the team will keep 13 pitchers and 12 position players after the All-Star break, which makes Gomez the most likely player to be sent down.