Estrada outrighted to Triple-A amid tough season

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Thairo Estrada may have played his final game with the Giants.

Estrada served as San Francisco's primary second baseman over the past three seasons, but he was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday after going unclaimed on waivers. Estrada will remain with the organization for now, but he’s no longer on the 40-man roster, which will make it difficult for the 28-year-old Venezuelan to get another shot in the Majors with the Giants.

Acquired from the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations in 2021, Estrada emerged as an above-average hitter over his first three seasons with the Giants, but he struggled to overcome wrist and thumb injuries this year, batting only .217/.247/.343 with nine home runs over 96 games.

Estrada's regression at the plate made him a candidate to be non-tendered this offseason, though Friday’s move likely signaled that the Giants have already determined that they don’t expect him to be a part of their middle-infield mix moving forward.

"He had a tough road this year with his hand and wrist and didn’t perform the way he has in the past since we brought him back [from the injured list]," Melvin said. "I think it’s more now about trying to get some guys some opportunities and the fact that maybe the performance wasn’t there. It’s tough not to love Thairo. He’s a great guy. He plays hard every day. He never makes excuses. He’s been a great Giant. Unfortunately, this is the decision that we made."

With Estrada in the Minors -- unlike left-hander Tyler Matzek, he wasn’t placed on release waivers and given a chance to catch on elsewhere -- the Giants will likely platoon Casey Schmitt and Brett Wisely at second base for the remainder of the season. Marco Luciano could also get some looks there once rosters expand from 26 to 28 on Sunday, though Melvin said the Giants haven’t discussed potential September callups yet.

“I really don’t know at this point,” Melvin said. “I just know where we stand right now. We’re able to add one more in September, and we’ll see where we go from there.”

The Giants entered Saturday tied with Pittsburgh for the third-lowest OPS from second base in the Majors this season (.617), so the club figures to be in the market for middle-infield help this winter. One obvious target could be Ha-Seong Kim, who is best friends with fellow Korean star Jung Hoo Lee and played under Melvin in San Diego. Adding a free-agent shortstop such as Kim or Willy Adames could allow the Giants to shift Tyler Fitzgerald to second base and further solidify the defense up the middle next year.