The knee that has bugged Brandon Belt all season has once again caused him to hit the injured list.
Belt, 34, was placed on the 10-day IL with right knee inflammation (retroactive to Aug. 21). Speedy outfielder Bryce Johnson was recalled in his place.
Belt was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with right knee soreness, which didn’t abate on Wednesday according to San Francisco Chronicle reporter Susan Slusser.
The IL stint comes as Belt was 0-for-15 in his last four games and 2-for-38 in his previous 11. At one point, he felt so uncertain about his swing that he tried to lay down a bunt with two outs and two men in scoring position, but struck out when it dribbled foul.
When he was scratched, Belt told Slusser of The Chronicle that the injury has called into question the future of his career. The 12-year veteran has had multiple surgeries on his right knee and has had it drained three times this season.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen — I try not to put too much thought into it,” Belt told The Chronicle. “But yeah, I mean, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about what happens if I’m not able to bounce back. But I don’t like thinking about it, because it’s kind of upsetting.”
Belt has played in 78 of the Giants’ 122 games this season. In that time, he’s posted a career-low in batting average (.213) and OPS (.676). Since he signed the qualifying offer last winter, Belt will become a free agent at the end of the year.