The Giants reinstated Alex Cobb from the 15-day injured list, paving the way for the 12-year veteran to start Friday’s game against the Mets in Citi Field.
Cobb, 35, has a 3.09 ERA and has been pitching as well as ever. In a corresponding move, the Giants optioned infielder David Villar back down to Triple-A.
Villar, who broke out late last year with eight home runs in the last 29 games of 2022, has struggled this season. San Francisco gave Villar the first crack at the everyday third baseman job, but he’s been leapfrogged by J.D. Davis — who’s having an All-Star caliber season — and rookie Casey Schmitt.
Villar is batting .159 with a .589 OPS in 40 games this season. In a year of widespread impressive development across the entire Giants organization, he’s been a rare exception.
Even though Villar is primarily a third baseman, the Giants are actually thinner in the outfield than they are on the dirt.
With Mike Yastrzemski and Mitch Haniger on the injured list, plus Michael Conforto hobbled by a hamstring injury, the Giants will start Joc Pederson in the outfield for a second straight game. Rookies Luis Matos and Blake Sabol will join Pederson in the outfield in Queens, with Austin Slater and Bryce Johnson available off the bench.
Conforto, the former Met, is reportedly dealing with a mild hamstring strain that will likely keep him out of the weekend series against New York. Conforto left after one inning on Wednesday after his cleat got stuck in the turf while going for a foul ball.
The Giants have lost four of their last seven games, but still hold the second-best winning percentage in MLB since May 1. The Mets, meanwhile, are 7-18 in June while having the sport’s priciest roster. Team owner Steve Cohen called a press conference this week, saying “we’re preparing all contingencies” and hinting at potential trades to come at the deadline.