Giants Place Power Hitting DH on 10-Day IL

Photo by SF Giants (X)

DENVER, CO: Due to a strain in his shoulder, the Giants placed designated hitter Jorge Soler on the 10-day injured list, effective May 5. Heliot Ramos was called up by San Francisco from Triple-A Sacramento to fill the vacant roster position.

In the middle of February, Soler signed a $42 million, three-year free agency contract. After hitting 36 home runs with the Marlins the previous season, San Francisco was hoping he would provide a much-needed power presence in the middle of the lineup.

That isn't how events have transpired thus far. Despite having five home runs, which ties him for the club lead, Soler's slash line through 136 plate appearances is just .202/.294/.361.

In the week and a half before the injury, he had an especially bad run of play. In his last ten games, Soler has only managed three hits.

How long he will be sidelined is unknown. In his absence, the Giants could switch around a couple players at the DH position. While Soler was day-to-day, Wilmer Flores received a few starts there.

Now that Ramos, 24, is back in the major leagues, he should also see some action. The former first-round selection's reputation has declined recently due to persistent strikeout problems in the higher levels.

However, he is off to a great start in Sacramento, hitting eight home runs in 134 trips while slashing .296/.388/.565. Even while he's still striking out frequently—27.6%—he's drawing walks and hitting for average.

Even though the Giants lost one of their key offseason additions, they may soon welcome back another. Blake Snell's adductor injury has kept him out of action since April 23.

According to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle, the reigning NL Cy Young champion will hold a bullpen session tomorrow and is expected to begin his rehab assignment at Low-A San Jose this weekend.