Mike Yastrzemski delivered a solo home run and ninth-inning RBI double Tuesday night, but won’t be able to go Wednesday night against the Cardinals.
The Giants scratched Yastrzemski (left side tightness) from their starting lineup an hour before the schedule first pitch. He was supposed to play right field and hit sixth; LaMonte Wade Jr. is replacing him both positionally and at the same spot in the order.
Yastrzemski is hitting .291 with a .849 OPS on the season. He’s dialed in at the plate and has had success even against left-handed pitching, something he hasn’t done since the shortened 2020 season when he earned down-ballot MVP votes.
The outfielder has recorded multiple hits in each of his past three games. In his last 10 games, he’s hitting .342 with three home runs, two doubles and eight RBI.
After Tuesday night’s walk-off win, manager Gabe Kapler said he thinks Yastrzemski is in the zone.
“I think there’s a lot of confidence,” Kapler said. “Look, when he’s right when his timing, the bat really moves through the hitting zone. And then you see him kind of have a killer instinct in the batter’s box. I think that’s what we’re seeing from Yaz right now. It’s not just hits, it’s big hits. Big moments, you really want him up there in those situations.”
Yastrzemski went through normal pregame work before the team announced his left side tightness would take him out of the lineup.
The veteran has hit five home runs on the season while taking down regular center field duties defensively.
Wade, Yastrzemski’s replacement for Wednesday, has demonstrated elite plate discipline to start the season. He’s walked 16 times compared to 15 strikeouts, which has amounted to a .419 on-base percentage.
Here is the Giants’ updated lineup against Cardinals left-handed pitcher Steven Matz, with Anthony DeSclafani taking the ball for SF.
Austin Slater – CF
Thairo Estrada – SS
Michael Conforto – DH
J.D. Davis – 3B
Mitch Haniger – LF
LaMonte Wade Jr. – RF
Wilmer Flores – 1B
David Villar – 2B
Blake Sabol – C