Thursday BP: Steven Duggar’s back, and the pressure is on

Hello and happy Thursday.

On Wednesday, the San Francisco Giants made a move to the active roster for the second time this season. And just like the first one, it involved outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr.

This time Wade is the outgoing piece, as he’s been placed on the 10-day Injured List with an oblique strain. Replacing him is Steven Duggar, who has been recalled from the Alternate Training Site.

And so Duggar returns. The questions are: for how long, and is it for the last time?

I thought Duggar would be gone shortly after Farhan Zaidi took over as president of baseball operations. He didn’t seem like a Zaidi type of player. The fact that he’s still around, and still getting opportunities shows you how little I know about baseball, so let’s all let that sink in.

And Duggar had a strong Spring Training — which featured 2 home runs and 9 walks in 43 plate appearances — I’m excited to see him back on the roster. But it does feel like his rope might be running short. Not only has Wade been impressive, but the Giants have a lot of intriguing arms at the Alternate Training Site, and it’s reasonable to think that a Shun Yamaguchi might be called up here, and a Dominic Leone might be called up there.

When those players get called up, space will need to be made on the 40-man roster. Do me a favor and take a look at the 40-man roster. There aren’t a lot of names that are easy to take off.

That’s a testament to the work of the team’s front office, but it also means the pressure is on Duggar. He’ll need to prove that, at the worst, he’s valuable insurance, and that gets harder if Wade’s doing the same, and even harder when Heliot Ramos invariably starts to force the issue.

Old, random MCC article for you to read

Tim Lincecum’s no-hitter was great, and you’re annoying (June 26, 2014 — Grant Brisbee)

Giants links

• Roger Munter looks at the Giants Minor League depth chart for left-handed starting pitchers (There R Giants)
• Maria Guardado on the legend of Monte Irvin (MLB)
• Melissa Lockard on the Giants and A’s getting energy from having fans in the stands (The Athletic, subscription required)
• Kerry Crowley on the unique bullpen combo of Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee (Mercury News)
• Scott Ostler on why Jackie Robinson Day will be extra meaningful this year (SF Chronicle)
• Andrew Baggarly on the successful homestand and Johnny Cueto’s injury (The Athletic, subscription required)
• Mark W. Sanchez on why the Giants have a sensible replacement in Logan Webb if Johnny Cueto misses time (KNBR)
• Alex Pavlovic on what we learned from the Giants shutout win over the Reds (NBC Sports Bay Area)

What time do the Giants play today?

The Giants have a day off today, which means you have a day off today. That’s how it works, right?

Have a great day, friends.