SAN FRANCISCO — He was signed late in spring. He did his job, to the degree the Giants could realistically expect. And, when their need for his services expired, they discarded Nick Ahmed, sending the veteran shortstop packing before Tuesday’s series opener against the Blue Jays.
Ahmed, 34, was designated for assignment in a series of roster moves that also activated another pair of infielders, Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores, from the injured list, along with Blake Snell, potentially signaling their comfort moving forward with Brett Wisely handling the bulk of the shortstop duties moving forward.
The Giants had one open spot on their active roster after trading Austin Slater to Cincinnati on Sunday and created another by optioning recent waiver claim Kolton Ingram, a 27-year-old left-hander, to Triple-A Sacramento.
Initially signed as an insurance plan to top prospect Marco Luciano at shortstop in spring training, Ahmed went on to win the Opening Day job and appeared in 52 games, maintaining his strong defensive reputation while providing some timely hits but holding a batting average of .232 and an OPS of .581.
With Estrada out since June 28 with a sprained wrist, Wisely had handled duties at second base alongside Ahmed at short, but with Estrada returning his normal spot, the move allows the Giants to continue to give consistent playing time to Wisely, a 25-year-old left-handed hitter who can play three infield spots and has been a sensation at the plate, batting .278 with three home runs despite his diminutive 5-foot-9 frame.
At Triple-A, Luciano has been taking reps at second base and occasionally DHing while batting .230 with a .687 OPS.
With left-hander Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for Toronto, Flores slotted back into the starting lineup at first base. He went on the injured list the same day as Estrada, with right knee tendonitis.