The Giants have placed outfielder Luis Gonzalez on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain (retroactive to June 22). Veteran utility man Donovan Walton has been recalled to claim his roster spot, per Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic (via Twitter).
Gonzalez was picked up as a waiver claim last year from the White Sox, but he has made a strong play to be a permanent fixture in the San Francisco outfield. The 26-year-old Gonzalez has already posted 1.2 rWAR/1.0 fWAR in 180 plate appearances on the season. While splitting his time across all three outfield spots, he has hit .302/.361/.447 with three home runs and seven stolen bases.
Walton, 28, made at least one appearance with the Mariners in each of the past four seasons, but with 58 plate appearances with the Giants this year, he’s already close to matching his career-high of 69 plate appearances.
Walton fits a classic San Francisco bench player mold with his ability to play multiple positions. Unfortunately for Walton, the Giants lineup currently leans heavily to the left, giving Walton less utility as a platoon player or spot starter. For now at least, Austin Slater would seem to step into the starting lineup, which could give Walton an opportunity for a game in the grass against a particularly tough right-hander.