SAN FRANCISCO — A gruesome injury and a looming bullpen battle prompted some major roster changes on Tuesday afternoon.
Tyler Fitzgerald returned after a torrid week in Triple-A, and the Giants also acquired the contracts of minor leaguers Spencer Howard and Trenton Brooks. LaMonte Wade Jr. was placed on the disabled list the day after straining his left hamstring while baserunning, and the Giants designated for action Drew Pomeranz and Ryan McKenna to make way for Howard and Brooks.
The move brings some balance to a roster that needed another left-handed hitter after Wade was injured. Brooks, 28, was acquired from the Oakland Athletics last summer in exchange for relief pitcher Sean Newcomb. He had a .426 on-base percentage in Triple-A and has a similar profile to Wade, who led the majors in that division.
With the departure of McKenna, a versatile outfielder, the Giants brought back Fitzgerald, who was named PCL Player of the Week after hitting six home runs in six games at Triple-A. With Marco Luciano and Brett Wiseley still in the starting lineup, Fitzgerald is expected to see most of his time in the outfield or as a pinch runner.
Howard is likely to pitch multiple innings in place of starter Eric Miller on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old Howard is a former second-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies who posted a 5.90 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings at Triple-A.
McKenna only had six at-bats after being acquired from the Baltimore Orioles, but he stole second base for Wilmer Flores and helped the Giants come from behind to win in New York. Pomeranz was signed during the tour but did not play a single game during his second tenure with the Giants.
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