The Giants will be without baseball’s most productive leadoff hitter against the Padres Tuesday night in Oracle Park.
LaMonte Wade Jr., who got replaced in the eighth inning of Monday night’s walk-off win, got scratched from the lineup before first pitch. He has right side tightness, according to the Giants.
David Villar will take Wade’s spot at first base and hit ninth. Villar, 26, homered Monday night and is 3-for-8 (.375) with two doubles and the dinger in June.
Designated hitter Joc Pederson will instead lead off for SF against Padres righty Seth Lugo.
Wade is hitting .280 with nine home runs on the season. His .415 on-base percentage trails only Luis Arraez, the Marlins infielder who’s hitting .400.
Casey Schmitt pinch hit for Wade in the eighth inning Monday night. He eventually drew a key walk in extra innings before Mike Yastrzemski’s walk-off Splash Hit.
Wade went 1-for-3 with a single before getting subbed out. He leads the Giants in WAR with 2.5. San Francisco will test its eight-game winning streak without him.
Here’s the Giants’ updated lineup, with righty Anthony DeSclafani on the mound:
Joc Pederson – DH
Thairo Estrada – 2B
JD Davis – 3B
Michael Conforto – LF
Mike Yastrzemski – RF
Luis Matos – CF
Patrick Bailey – C
Brandon Crawford – SS
David Villar – 1B
- MLB officially announced next year’s Giants-Cardinals game at Rickwood Field, the diamond where Willie Mays played for the Black Barons.
“Willie played there, oldest (professional) ballpark — really incredible opportunity for our organization,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “Really excited.”
The game will happen on June 20, 2024 — exactly one year from Tuesday.
- The Giants don’t have a starter listed for Wednesday’s game, but Kapler said he knows who will take the ball. The club doesn’t like to tip their hand whenever they don’t have to, leaving opponents with less time to prepare.
Kyle Harrison, the Giants’ top pitching prospect, is scheduled to pitch for the River Cats on Wednesday on regular five-days rest.
- Former Giant Brandon Belt has hit .323 with a .979 OPS for the Blue Jays since May, shaking off a horrible start to the year. He’s racked up the second-most All-Star votes among American League designated hitters. He also hasn’t lost his signature sarcasm.