SAN FRANCISCO — As soon as heralded because the Giants’ third baseman of the long run, David Villar’s time with the group is probably going coming to an finish.
Villar, 28, was designated for task Monday for the second time this season in order that Casey Schmitt might be activated from the injured listing. If he’s not traded, Villar could have the chance to elect free company somewhat than an task to Triple-A Sacramento.
In between taking pictures off texts to his agent and sharing a hug with Schmitt, Villar stated he loved his time with the one group he’s ever recognized however indicated he deliberate to discover different alternatives if he’s given the possibility.
“A lot of times that’s all it takes, a change of scenery,” Melvin stated of Villar, who misplaced his main place when the Giants signed Matt Chapman final offseason and had fallen behind different infielders similar to Schmitt and Tyler Fitzgerald on the inner depth chart.
Groups will first have the possibility to assert Villar on waivers or work out a commerce with San Francisco. If he goes unclaimed and the Giants aren’t capable of finding a commerce companion by subsequent Monday, Villar would have the ability to change into a free agent as a result of he was already DFA’d and despatched outright to Sacramento earlier this season.
Villar stated he’s assured that he’ll hear from different golf equipment on the open market and would even take into account enjoying internationally, the place the alternatives for gamers on the fringe of major-league rosters are sometimes extra profitable. He stated groups in Japan had expressed curiosity up to now however that the earlier regime prevented him from exploring these alternatives.
The Giants fielded calls from groups after they designated Villar the primary time, earlier than Opening Day, however opted to maintain him round in case a necessity arose on the infield. He was referred to as up three weeks later of their first roster transfer of the yr when Schmitt strained his left indirect within the batting cage, forcing him to overlook 28 video games earlier than he was reinserted into the beginning lineup Monday with left-hander Kris Bubic on the mound for the Royals.
Villar appeared in 9 video games, recording 4 hits in 20 at-bats (.200) as the precise facet of the platoon at first base. A late-bloomer as an Eleventh-round draft select of the College of South Florida in 2018, Villar flashed major-league energy, with 15 homers and 17 doubles in 118 video games, however failed to supply constant outcomes, batting .200 with a .683 OPS in 335 profession at-bats.
It has been a distinct story on the Triple-A degree, the place Villar was named the Pacific Coast League MVP for slugging 27 homers in 2022. He initially introduced the ability stroke to the large leagues, blasting eight homers between September and October of that yr, and was declared the incumbent third baseman coming into the following spring. However he struggled on the plate and ultimately misplaced the job to J.D. Davis, who was supplanted by Chapman earlier than final season.
In 15 video games with the River Cats this season, Villar batted .368 with a double and a homer for a .888 OPS.
“I think he had a little different perspective when he cleared waivers, went back down, came with a good attitude, did well (and) got back to the big leagues,” Melvin stated. “So I think there’s more of a light at the end of the tunnel for him. The first time you get designated, it can feel pretty ominous. We’ll see where it goes from here.”
Verlander battles pec situation
Justin Verlander stays on observe to make his subsequent begin, scheduled to come back Friday towards the Nationals, Melvin stated earlier than Monday’s sport.
Verlander, 43, stated he was “dealing with something physically” after he issued 5 walks and required 83 pitches to finish 4 innings in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the A’s. Melvin expanded a day later, including that Verlander “had a little pec thing going on” however that “he feels a little better today.”
The Giants are off Thursday earlier than they journey to Washington, D.C., giving Verlander an additional day of relaxation.
“I think he’s going to take it easy the next couple days and we’ll see how he’s feeling,” Melvin stated. “Give it a day or two to calm down and hopefully we’re good to go.”
Additionally…
Jerar Encarnacion might start a rehab task by the tip of the week. Encarnacion, 27, fractured his left hand in spring coaching and hasn’t appeared in a sport this season however will start swinging a bat on Tuesday, in response to the membership. He’s eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured listing on Friday.
Initially Revealed: Might 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM PDT
