SF Giants get Alex Dickerson back, cut hitless veteran Justin Smoak

The San Francisco Giants’ outfield depth was incredibly thin during a three-game set in Oakland this weekend, but the club is excited to welcome back a key reinforcement on Monday.

Left fielder Alex Dickerson has been reinstated from the paternity list after missing the club’s past two games to join his wife Jennifer for the birth of their first child.

To clear a roster spot for Dickerson, the Giants designated veteran switch-hitter Justin Smoak for assignment, ending his brief tenure with the team after Smoak went 0-for-6. The Giants acquired Smoak to replace switch-hitter Pablo Sandoval on the roster and were hopeful he would regain form at the plate after he was released by the Milwaukee Brewers, but Smoak wasn’t a good fit for an organization that prioritizes defensive versatility.

With Brandon Belt locked into playing every day at first base, Smoak’s only position, and right-handed hitters Wilmer Flores and Austin Slater better options as designated hitters, Smoak didn’t have much of an opportunity to make an impact.

The Giants are eager to have Dickerson rejoin the club as the left fielder is batting .276 with an .877 OPS for the team this season. Dickerson has been more productive during the second half and has formed a solid platoon in left field with right-handed slugger Darin Ruf.

With Slater unable to play the field due to an elbow injury and Mike Yastrzemski sidelined for the last three games due to a mild right calf strain, the Giants were down to three healthy outfielders on the active roster during Dickerson’s absence.

Unless Yastrzemski is able to return in the coming days, the Giants may attempt to use both Dickerson and Ruf in the same starting lineups against the Rockies this week as San Francisco opens a four-game set against Colorado on Monday at Oracle Park. The Giants have been reluctant to use Ruf in right field this year, but the team needs as many good bats in the lineup as possible. Manager Gabe Kapler could sacrifice some defense in the hopes that Dickerson and Ruf are able to help carry the offense against the Rockies.

Smoak joins Joe McCarthy as the second Giants player to be cut without recording a hit this year. McCarthy started in right field on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium and was 0-for-10 before being designated for assignment.