SAN FRANCISCO — Two days after trading Austin Slater, the Giants made another move with the struggling veteran.
Center fielder Nick Ahmed was designated for assignment as part of a major roster shakeup Tuesday afternoon. Wilmer Flores, Tyro Estrada and Blake Snell came off the injured list, with Slater and Ahmed clearing two roster spots and a third spot open when lefty Colton Ingram was sent back to Triple-A.
The goal seems clear for a team that trails .500 by three games one week before the Major League Baseball All-Star break. By getting rid of Slater and Ahmed, the front office has opened up additional hitting opportunities for Luis Matos and Brett Wisely, who is expected to be the starting center fielder now that Estrada is back at second base.
Ahmed was signed during camp to bring a more reliable glove to the center fielder, but he posted a .581 OPS with just one home run. His defense was solid at first but has slumped in recent weeks, coinciding with Weasley looking like he could handle a center fielder at the major league level.
One reason the Giants chose Ahmed over Brandon Crawford was because they believed it would be much easier to move the rookie away if Marco Luciano looked ready to become the starting quarterback. Luciano has yet to start in the third division, but Wesley is ready for more reps, and he’ll get them now.
Snell returns after three appearances in rehab, including five no-hit innings in his last appearance in the third division. He will start Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
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