Ramos Returns, Off Field
Heliot Ramos Returns to Giants Lineup After Injury, But Remains Off Field
Heliot Ramos is back in the San Francisco Giants' lineup after missing six weeks with a right quad strain — but he won't be playing the field just yet. Manager Tony Vitello announced Ramos will serve as the designated hitter to ease the strain of his return, according to East Bay Times.
The Giants officially activated Ramos from the injured list on June 28, designating infielder Buddy Kennedy for assignment to clear roster space, MLB Trade Rumors reported. Ramos slashed .346/.452/.577 over 31 plate appearances during an 11-day Triple-A rehab stint before the call-up.
Ramos Eased Back as DH to Protect Healing Quad
Vitello said the choice to keep Ramos out of the field was straightforward: don't push a player coming off a six-week layoff. "We don't want to overburden him," Vitello said, per The Reporter. Ramos, 26, had been batting .267 with 4 home runs and 20 RBIs in 44 games before the injury.
Ramos was placed on the injured list around May 15 after straining his right quad against the Athletics. He spent early June at the Giants' Arizona complex working through a hitting program before starting his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on June 17, Press Democrat noted.
Casey Schmitt Stays in Left, Outfield Puzzle Takes Shape
With Ramos taking the DH spot, Casey Schmitt stays in left field for at least one more day. Schmitt has been one of the team's best hitters this season, slashing .281/.313/.537 with 15 home runs in 58 games — making him nearly impossible to sit, according to Mercury News.
Rookie Victor Bericoto will cover right field. Bericoto, called up from Triple-A Sacramento in late May, made headlines with back-to-back 445-foot walk-off home runs on June 24 and 25. Jung Hoo Lee rounds out the outfield in center. Vitello may eventually move Ramos to right field permanently to keep Schmitt's bat in the lineup, per Daily Democrat.
Jonah Cox Could Shift to Infield to Find Playing Time
One roster puzzle remains: where does Jonah Cox fit? The speedy outfielder was promoted directly from Double-A Richmond on May 31 — an aggressive move by President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey. Vitello said Cox may eventually train at infield positions to carve out a spot in the lineup, East Bay Times reported.
Schmitt, originally a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman, is described as a "super-utility" player who can handle any infield spot or outfield corner. That flexibility gives Vitello options — but it also reflects how crowded and unsettled the Giants' roster has become.
Giants Sit at 33-48 as Vitello Faces Growing Scrutiny
Ramos' return is welcome news, but the Giants are 33-48 — fourth in the NL West and 15 games behind the Dodgers. Vitello, who made history by jumping directly from college coaching at Tennessee to an MLB dugout, is navigating a roster in constant flux due to injuries and prospects being rushed to the majors.
Posey has publicly backed his manager, saying, "I feel like Tony has the clubhouse... there's no concern on my part that he doesn't have the respect of the players." With the trade deadline approaching and Luis Arraez rumored to be available, more roster moves are expected before the summer is out, per The Reporter.
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