The second farewell to Hunter Pence and the Giants did not include a dramatic sendoff and riding around Oracle Park on a scooter. On Sunday morning, Pence was named for assignment as part of a series of moves that sent former Tampa Bay Rays striker Daniel Robertson to the alternative spot and got Sam Coonrod back in the ballpark.
To remove roster spots for both moves, the Giants parted ways with Pence, who was brought back on the eve of FanFest but did not find the form that made him a surprise All-Star with the Texas Rangers in 2019. Pence was just 5-for-52 with two homers, both of which were three-run shots that came within a span of four days. Since the second one, however, Pence has started just three games in three days, hitting hitless in 10 at-bats.
Robertson, a 26-year-old infielder, was acquired by the Rays for cashoe consideration as a player to be named later. Coonrod returned to a stint on the IL with a lat strain. Both movements require that spots be opened.
The Giants brought Pence back to lefties, as he did last year, after hitting his swing, but he had just three hits in 28 at-bats against them. They have found better solutions, both at DH – where Wilmer Flores has been a star – and in the field.
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Pence, 37, has remained a wildly popular clubhouse presence throughout the fight. Manager Gabe Kapler has said several times that he believes in Pence’s ability to figure this out in large part because of the work ethic he shows behind the scenes, and several players credit Pence for helping the club stay positive after an up-and-down stretch early in the year.
But the Giants are back in the wild-card race after winning five straight, and with Coonrod ready to be on the roster again, it was time to prioritize production.
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