D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Gabe Kapler was asked why LaMonte Wade Jr. was the unfortunate roster victim, and the Giants manager didn’t mention Wade.
Steven “Duggar has done a really nice job for us and has earned the opportunity to stay on the roster,” Kapler said. “I think that’s the simplest way I can explain it.”
Duggar has hit, going 7-for-22 (.318) with a home run and a triple in his last nine games. He has always played an excellent outfield, which was displayed most recently by his remarkable jump and dive on Friday, robbing what may have been extra bases from Kevin Newman on a ball that Statcast estimated had a catch rate of 15 percent.
And now he stays, having beaten out Wade while Alex Dickerson returns.
Duggar was optioned out of major league camp early and dealt with strikeout problems after never consistently hitting at the major league level. He was not the first outfielder recalled from Sacramento, but he has ensured he will not be the first sent back down. This is his last year as an option-able Giants player, so it may be now or never for him. And thus far, it’s been now.
Wade had been activated last week and only appeared in two games before he was optioned, going 1-for-5. He did make a few nice plays at first base in relief of Brandon Belt, and Belt’s health made the decision a bit easier.
He’s batting cleanup and playing first in Sunday’s lineup after appearing as a pinch-hitter Saturday. He has been dealing with some side tightness that has bounced him in and out of the lineup.
“It’s still something that he’s going to be dealing with until he’s completely over the hump,” Kapler said before the Giants finished up a series at PNC Park. “Last night he came out feeling strong, not perfect, but ready to start for us.”
Duggar survives, but for now. Donovan Solano is on his way back, having played five innings with Sacramento on Saturday and expected to go seven on Monday. The Giants’ roster is heavily skewed toward the outfield: Evan Longoria, Brandon Crawford, Wilmer Flores and Belt are the only true infielders, while Mauricio Dubon and Darin Ruf can flex back and forth.
Duggar has leapfrogged Wade. By the time Solano returns, can he jump in front of, say, Dubon or Austin Slater, who has an option remaining? The Giants are giving him a chance.