SF Giants activate Mike Yastrzemski, option Luis Matos to AAA

Aug 30, 2023, 10:29 AM

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Mike Yastrzemski #5 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Washingt...

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

On Wednesday morning, the San Francisco Giants announced that they have activated outfielder Mike Yastrzemski from the 10-day injured list and optioned Luis Matos to AAA Sacramento.

Yastrzemski, who has been on the injured list since July 31st due to a left hamstring strain, was set to be activated early last week before suffering a setback in his rehab.

After successfully running the bases over the weekend, Giants manager Gabe Kapler told the media that the veteran outfielder–along with right fielder Mitch Haniger–were close to a return and could both be back in the lineup for this week’s series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Haniger was activated on Tuesday, and now Yastrzemski will be batting sixth and playing right field in Wednesday’s matinee against the Reds at Oracle Park.

#SFGiants Roster Moves:

OF Mike Yastrzemski reinstated from the 10-day Injured List.

OF Luis Matos optioned to Triple-A Sacramento postgame yesterday.

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 30, 2023

Yastrzemski was in the midst of a solid five-game stretch before suffering a hamstring injury on July 30th, batting .444 with a .546 on-base percentage during the final week of July.

Over 77 appearances this season, the veteran outfielder is batting .233 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI with a .753 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and 43 runs scored.

San Francisco’s lineup could use an impact from the left side of the batter’s box, with Haniger, Wilmer Flores, and Thairo Estrada all providing the Giants with a boost from the right side.

With Michael Conforto (hamstring) far away from a return to action, San Francisco will lean on Yastrzemski, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Patrick Bailey as their left-handed bats while they wait for Conforto and Brandon Crawford (forearm strain) to return.

Luis Matos heads back to AAA

Matos is the odd man out for Wednesday’s roster move, joining fellow rookie outfielder Heliot Ramos after the latter was sent down to make room for Haniger’s return on Tuesday.

After being called back up on August 20th, Matos hit .318 with one home run and two RBI over nine games.

While it might be disheartening for Matos to be heading back to AAA, the 21-year-old looked much more comfortable at the plate during his second go-around at the big-league level after being demoted on August 13th.

Luis Matos solo shot! pic.twitter.com/DuavPRT2ug

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 20, 2023

Matos is going to be a large part of San Francisco’s future, but it looks like the Giants will lean on their veterans during the final month of the season.

Expect Matos to be called back up once rosters expand next week.