Giants sign SS DeJong to Major League deal
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PHILADELPHIA -- Paul DeJong was viewed as a potential target for the Giants leading up to the 2023 Trade Deadline, but he ended up landing with the Blue Jays, who acquired the veteran shortstop from the Cardinals following an injury to two-time All-Star Bo Bichette.
DeJong’s stint in Toronto didn’t last long, as he was designated for assignment when Bichette returned from the injured list on Saturday. San Francisco didn’t hesitate to bring DeJong into the fold this time around, with the two sides agreeing to a Major League contract on Wednesday. To make room on the roster, infielder Johan Camargo was designated for assignment.
DeJong, 30, joined the Giants on Wednesday in Philadelphia, and he should help fill in for Brandon Crawford, who landed on the IL with a left forearm strain on Sunday. Crawford underwent an MRI exam that revealed a “mild” strain in his non-throwing forearm, and he won’t be eligible to return until next Tuesday.
“I don’t know if that means he’s going to be out seven days, 10 days,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “But it means, obviously, that we’re going to be without him for a little bit of a time.”
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Camargo, who had joined San Francisco on a Minor League deal on Aug. 13, and rookie Casey Schmitt were splitting shortstop duties while Crawford was out, but the Giants have struggled to get consistent production out of the position throughout the year.
San Francisco's shortstops entered Tuesday 25th in the Majors with a .637 OPS this season, giving DeJong a chance to provide a lift down the stretch.
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A 2019 All-Star and the runner-up for the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year Award, DeJong batted .233/.297/.412 with 13 home runs over 81 games with the Cardinals this year, but he slumped badly after joining the Blue Jays, going just 3-for-44 (.068) with no extra-base hits over 13 games.
Still, DeJong is tied for seventh among Major League shortstops with 9 outs above average this year, and he could give the Giants some more right-handed pop if he’s able to recapture the form he showed with the Cardinals earlier this year.