Giants acquire INF Joseph; Panda to 60-day IL

ST. LOUIS -- The Giants added to their infield depth on Tuesday by claiming Corban Joseph off waivers from the A’s, who had designated him for assignment on Sunday.

Though the majority of his career appearances have come as a second baseman, Joseph is likely to see more time at third over the final weeks of the season. He’ll serve as a backup to Evan Longoria, and manager Bruce Bochy hinted that Joseph’s first start could come on Thursday, when the Giants play a day game to complete their series at Busch Stadium.

With Donovan Solano and Mauricio Dubon already sharing time at second, opportunities there are likely to be scarce for Joseph.

“Solid player,” Bochy said of Joseph, who was expected to arrive at Busch Stadium shortly before or during Tuesday’s game. “He’s also a left-handed bat for us off the bench.”

For Joseph, this represents another shot to prove he can stick in the Majors. After making his Major League debut with the Yankees in 2013, Joseph, 30, didn’t appear in the big leagues again until ’18. He logged 19 plate appearances with the Orioles last year and another 40 after Oakland summoned him from the Minors in mid-August.

In 27 career Major League games, Joseph has a .197 average, one homer and eight RBIs. He has logged three career innings at third base.

In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Joseph, the Giants transferred infielder Pablo Sandoval to the 60-day injured list. The move was expected, as Sandoval is scheduled to undergo season-ending elbow surgery on Wednesday. He took his final at-bat of the year -- and perhaps his Giants career -- on Saturday.

Sandoval’s current contract includes a $17-million club option for 2020. If it’s not exercised, he’ll become a free agent this fall.

Minor matters
The Giants’ Minor League affiliates combined for a .509 winning percentage this season, and five of those clubs advanced to their respective league playoffs. Four of those teams -- Triple-A Sacramento, Class A Advanced San Jose, Class A Augusta and Class A Short-Season Salem-Keizer -- begin postseason play on Wednesday. San Jose needed a win in its season finale on Monday to clinch a Wild Card berth.

The organization’s other playoff team, the Arizona League Giants Orange, was knocked out in the semifinal round of its league playoffs last week.

Worth noting
• Bochy said the club’s medical team has not yet determined the next step for reliever Reyes Moronta, who sustained a torn labrum in his right shoulder during an appearance on Sunday. The club continues to review the findings from multiple opinions to decide if surgery is needed.

• Joey Bart, the Giants' No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned Player of the Week honors in the Eastern League after hitting .538 with six extra-base hits, six RBIs and five runs scored over the final week of the Minor League season. Bart, whom MLB Pipeline also ranked the No. 2 catching prospect in baseball, will be among the group of Giants prospects headed to participate in the Arizona Fall League, which opens play on Sept. 18.