Giants activate LaMonte Wade Jr. But they are losing two key hitters to injuries – NBC Sports Bay Area and California

SAN FRANCISCO – As expected, the Giants were activated Lamonte Wade Jr Off the injured list ahead of the series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night at Oracle Park.

To make room on the roster, Ciro Estrada (left wrist sprain) and Wilmer Flores (right knee tendinitis) were placed on the IL.

Shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald was also called up from Triple-A Sacramento.

Wade plays first base and bats second against Dodgers outfielder Landon Nack.

Wade had been out since May 28 with a hamstring injury and recently completed a rehab stint with Sacramento.

“It’s nice to have him back,” manager Bob Melvin said of Wade. “Looking at all the left-handed hitters in the National League, he was at the top of the game, in terms of on-base percentage, and obviously he was a clutch player all the time. We missed a lot with him (outside).”

Before suffering the injury, Wade had given the New York Giants a major spark at the top of their lineup. He was batting at .333 with two home runs, 17 RBIs, and a career-high OPS of .896 in 52 games.

Estrada, who leads the Giants with 39 RBIs and is tied for second with nine home runs, was placed on the IL during an extended slump. Over his previous 18 games, Estrada was batting .164 (11-for-70) with three extra-base hits. He struck out 15 times and walked two during that span.

“He had a bad thumb, he had a bad wrist, he had a lot of problems,” Melvin said.

Other injury updates:

– Kyle Harrison, who has been scratched since his last start due to an ankle injury, threw a two-run session and “looked really good” per Melvin.

— Alex Cobb also pitched Friday and is scheduled to begin his rehab with Single-A San Jose on Sunday.

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