The start of a three-game series in the hitter-friendly Coors Field is as good a time as any to return from the injured list.
Infielder Thairo Estrada (wrist) and Joc Pederson (hand) are back with the Giants ahead of San Francisco’s three-game series in Denver. The Giants reinstated both of them on Tuesday afternoon, optioning Bryce Johnson and Brett Wisely.
Estrada has registered 2.0 WAR in his 47 games, second on the team only to LaMonte Wade Jr. The infielder is hitting .301 with six home runs and 13 stolen bases.
Pederson, an All-Star last season, has been sidelined with a hand bruise for over three weeks. He was initially listed as day-to-day after getting hit by a pitch while squaring up to bunt, but eventually hit the IL.
The two-time World Series champion has five home runs in 26 games this season. His .844 OPS is third-highest among Giants with at least 50 plate appearances.
Getting Estrada and Pederson back should help San Francisco’s offense, which has been hovering around league average all year. The Giants rank 14th in runs per game and have scored just 14 runs in their last five games (SF went 1-4 in that stretch).
Michael Conforto, who has been limited with a heel injury, is also in the starting lineup for the series opener. With those three readily available, the Giants are as healthy on the position player side as they have been all season.
That should set up for a high-octane series in elevation. John Brebbia is opening a bullpen game for the Giants on Tuesday night, with Logan Webb slated to start Wednesday. SF hasn’t announced a starter for the series finale, but will have Alex Cobb on regular rest as an option; the shape of the bullpen heading into that game could dictate whether to give him an extra day between starts.
The last-place Rockies are 26-35 overall, but 15-14 at home this year.