SF Giants recall OF Steven Duggar, option RHP Dereck Rodriguez

The SF Giants have recalled outfielder Steven Duggar to jumpstart a depleted offense.

The SF Giants are in desperate need of some type of jumpstart. A disastrous Bay Bridge Series against the Oakland Athletics left the team reeling having lost six of their last seven games.

And perhaps in an effort to jumpstart both their struggling offense and defense, the Giants opted to recall outfielder Steven Duggar on Monday. In a corresponding move, the team option right-handed pitcher Dereck Rodriguez to their alternate site.

Rodriguez made two appearances after being recalled earlier in the year last pitching on Sunday when he contributed to the teams 15-3 slaughtering at the hands of the A’s allowing five runs on seven hits in just 1.2 innings.

In total, Rodriguez made two appearances in relief surrendering six runs in four total innings. It’s not a surprise that the team opted to send him down. Rodriguez will still remain on the taxi squad at least for the series against the Los Angeles Angels.

As for Duggar, his presence will certainly be felt given the depleted state of the Giants’ outfield.

Steven Duggar will certainly provide a boost to the SF Giants’ outfield defense.

Austin Slater is currently unable to throw because of an elbow strain limiting him to hitting and pinch-running. Meanwhile, Hunter Pence has proven that he probably shouldn’t be playing the outfield at this stage of his career.

Mike Yastrzemski remains a solid fielder and Mauricio Dubon has exceeded expectations, but someone like Duggar — who makes a living on his fielding — will certainly prove beneficial to the Giants.

Duggar has played in six games this season going just 3-for-15 with 2 RBI and 7 strikeouts. He likely isn’t going to be the difference-maker on offense.

But his speed and plus-fielding ability should help a Giants team that could use some help holding leads late in games

Think back to Saturday when a misplayed line drive by Pence contributed to closer Trevor Gott‘s second consecutive blown ninth-inning lead. You’d have to think that if Duggar was out there, that wouldn’t have happened.

Here’s to hoping that the Giants can find a way to get back on track with their trip to Anaheim. And maybe, just maybe, Steven Duggar could help them do just that.