SAN FRANCISCO — When the Giants took the field to start the top of the third inning Thursday night against the Brewers, it was Brett Wisely and Marco Luciano who assumed the two middle infield positions. Tyler Fitzgerald was removed from the game.
The Giants did not provide an immediate explanation for Fitzgerald’s absence, but the rookie shortstop turned an unassisted double play to end the second.
With a runner on first, Fitzgerald fielded a sharp ground ball from Sal Frelick, stepped on second and fired to first to complete the double play. He returned to the dugout without any noticeable injury, but when the next inning began, he had been subbed out for Luciano.
Interestingly, Luciano took over at second base for Wisely, who slid over to Fitzgerald’s spot at shortstop.
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Fitzgerald, 26, has made a strong enough impression already to enter next spring central in the Giants’ plans. Seizing the starting shortstop job at midseason, Fitzgerald has batted .297 with 14 home runs and a team-high 17 stolen bases in his first full-time opportunity in the majors.
It has been tougher sledding for Luciano, who seemed earmarked for the job at the end of last season but was beaten out by Nick Ahmed in the spring and has spent the season splitting time between San Francisco and Triple-A Sacramento, spending increasing amounts of time away from shortstop.
Neither player has provided exemplary defense, with 19 errors between them, leading some to speculate about pursuing external options, such as San Diego’s Ha-Seong Kim, who played for manager Bob Melvin with the Padres and is close friends with Jung Hoo Lee.
Currently in town with the Brewers is Willy Adames and his 30 home runs, arguably the highest-profile member of the upcoming class of free-agent shortstops. Adames, 29, is earning $12.25 million in his final year of arbitration and, on pace for career-highs in homers and RBIs, should be due for a handsome raise.
Check back for updates.