The San Francisco Giant who hit the walk off home run last season against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship game could be sent back down to the minor leagues, reports the SF Chronicle.
Travis Ishikawa has been out all season with a bad back. According to Major League rules, Ishikawa’s rehab assignment must end by Saturday. After that, the team has 48 hours to activate Ishikawa. If they don’t, they could send him back to the minor leagues and even take him off the 40 man roster.
Ishikawa plays first base behind Brandon Belt. Belt is backed up by All Star catcher Buster Posey. The Giants like to play Posey at first base occasionally to give him a breather from playing in the crouch behind home plate.
Ishikawa has also played some in the outfield, although not a lot. Justin Maxwell has 16 RBIs and 3 home runs as a capable back up, although he’s only batting .238. Gregor Blanco is a reliable backup outfielder off the bench hitting .266 this season.
Matt Duffy has been a dependable utility player and stand by for starting third basemen Casey McGehee who’s off to a horrible start and hitting only .196. He’s making $4.8 million making him an unlikely candidate to send to the minors.
Ishikawa’s future with the Giants is uncertain right now.
“Don’t think I haven’t thought about it,” Travis Ishikawa said Tuesday, which happened to be Japanese American Day at the Ballpark. The Giants honored him by giving away his bobblehead.
