Jesus Rodriguez made his major-league debut Monday, and the San Francisco Giants put him behind the plate in a shakeup aimed at waking up a lineup that has gone flat. The club promoted Rodriguez and Bryce Eldridge before its homestand opener against the San Diego Padres.
The move came after Buster Posey said the Giants needed Willy Adames, Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers to lead the team out of its funk. He also said he hoped Eldridge and Rodriguez would keep doing what they had done in Triple A. Rodriguez arrived batting.330 with a.400 on-base percentage, along with 12 walks and 11 strikeouts, while Eldridge was hitting.333 with a.445 on-base percentage and six home runs.
For the Giants, the timing matters because they entered Monday at 13-21 and with the least productive lineup in the major leagues. They had just finished a winless six-game trip to Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, a stretch that left little doubt the offense needed a jolt. Rodriguez gives them more than one path to do that. He can catch, play second base and handle the outfield, which adds flexibility to a roster that is trying to find answers wherever it can.
That flexibility could also cut into Patrick Bailey’s playing time. Bailey is a two-time Gold Glove winner, but he was hitting.152, and the Giants have already shown they are willing to move pieces around to search for production. On Monday, they designated outfielder Jerar Encarnacion for assignment, placed left-hander Erik Miller on the 15-day injured list with a lower back strain and returned outfielder Will Brennan to Triple A Sacramento.
Posey’s message was plain: the offense will have to be carried by the players expected to anchor it, while the newcomers are asked to stay the same. Whether Rodriguez’s debut is the start of that lift, or simply the first of several moves meant to keep the Giants from sinking further, will be decided in the games ahead.
