Mike Yastrzemski rejoins Giants while Joc Pederson lands on injured list
Giants activate Yaz, lose Pederson to injured list originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants got a key left-handed bat back on Monday, and lost another one.
Mike Yastrzemski came off the injured list just a little over two weeks after he suffered what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury in Mexico City, but the Giants put Joc Pederson on the IL to clear the roster spot. Pederson was hit by a pitch on Friday in Arizona and has a right hand contusion.
Manager Gabe Kapler said before Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies that Yastrzemski is likely to start the final two games of this series. He ran sprints over the weekend and his hamstring felt good, and the Giants are comfortable with him going full throttle in center field.
Without Pederson, Thairo Estrada is making his first career start at designated hitter. Kapler wanted Estrada to have a lighter day but also have his bat in the lineup, and Casey Schmitt's arrival helps make that possible.
Schmitt is making his first big league start at second base after picking up the position a couple weeks ago in Triple-A. He has now started at three different positions the last three days.
Other Giants notes:
-- Right-hander Luke Jackson needed just nine pitches to get through a rehab inning on Sunday in San Jose. Jackson showed solid velocity, and a scout in attendance said his command and breaking ball were good.
Jackson signed in the offseason as he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, with the Giants knowing he would start the season on the 60-day IL. He's eligible to return on May 29 and Kapler said it's a "strong possibility" that Jackson is ready by then.
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"Really good, a really efficient inning in San Jose," Kapler said. "I'm excited. He's getting closer. Obviously we're still probably a couple of weeks away, but we're moving in the right direction."
Jackson had a 1.98 ERA with the Atlanta Braves in 2021 and has 19 saves in the big leagues. If he can hit the ground running in June, he would give the Giants something they desperately need: Another trusted arm in the late innings.
-- A few days after he cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent, Darin Ruf signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Ruf had been DFA'd by the Giants to clear a 40-man roster spot for Schmitt. The Giants will see him soon, as they visit Milwaukee next week.
