SF Giants release former Gold Glove infielder Yolmer Sanchez

The SF Giants have officially released former Gold Glove infielder Yolmer Sanchez.

The SF Giants‘ lineup has overachieved in 2020 with the likes of Mike Yastrzemski, Donovan Solano, and others exceeding expectations. And for the first time in years, it seems as though the Giants have an actually quality lineup.

But all of that hitting depth may have squeezed a few players out who had chances of contributing in 2020. One of those players was infielder Yolmer Sanchez who was officially granted his release on Friday.

The Giants announced that Sanchez requested his release to pursue other major-league opportunities. The former Chicago White Sox infielder had spent the past month at the Giants’ alternate training site in Sacramento.

Hopes were relatively high for Sanchez after the Giants signed him to a minor-league contract back in January. The team expected him to compete for the starting second-base job or at least earn a spot on the roster as a backup infielder.

While unimpressive at the plate, Sanchez won the American League Gold Glove at second base last season with the White Sox and is well-regarded for his fielding ability. On top of that, he has plus speed as well leading the AL in triples in 2018.

Unfortunately, he ran into a bit of bad luck before the season started.

Yolmer Sanchez’s injury might have cost him a shot with the SF Giants.

Sanchez missed the end of camp with a back injury which kept him out of the picture for the starting second base job. And the emergence of players like Solano and the relative health of the Giants’ infield has kept him in Sacramento.

Solano has turned into an everyday player for the Giants after impressing in a part-time role with the team last year. Meanwhile, free-agent pickup Wilmer Flores has also played well with six homers to his name.

Combine them with Mauricio Dubon who has seen some time at second base as well and there just isn’t room for Sanchez on the roster.

The Giants went into the season with a few options at the second base position and Sanchez seemed like an intriguing one, but due to his injury and the emergence of other players, he simply was never able to find a role.

Sanchez will likely find a home with another team where he can see actual major-league action. But the Giants simply didn’t need him.