SF Giants DH Joc Pederson could be heading to IL with wrist injury
The SF Giants could be without designated hitter Joc Pederson for some time while he deals with a wrist injury. According to Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle following the Giants' 7-5 loss to the Tigers, Pederson is a potential candidate for the injured list with a right wrist injury. Per Slusser, Pederson received a cortisone shot in his wrist on Wednesday and hopes to avoid a stint on the injured list.
Pederson was selected to his second career All-Star game last season, his first with the Giants, hitting .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs in 433 plate appearances. After accepting a qualifying offer last offseason, Pederson has remained a cog in the middle of the Giants' lineup against right-handed pitchers this season, recording a .242/.350/.545 triple-slash with two doubles, a triple, and two home runs in 10 games.
The Giants are already missing some of the most potent bats in their lineup to injury. Outfielders Austin Slater and Mitch Haniger both remain on the injured list while Michael Conforto is dealing with left calf tightness. The Giants lineup has been a more formidable opponent against right-handed pitchers than lefties this season, in large part because of Pederson's presence.
Since Pederson has been the Giants' designated hitter, he is the easiest-position player on the team to replace on the roster from a defensive flexibility standpoint. With that in mind, the SF Giants could keep an extra pitcher on the roster by placing Joc Pederson on the injured list. However, corner bat Matt Beaty and utility man Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect) would also be logical options to replace Pederson.
