SAN FRANCISCO -- There was little fanfare when the Giants signed veteran infielder Donovan Solano to a Minor League deal back in January. At the time, Solano was a career .257 hitter who hadn't played in the Majors since appearing in nine games for the Yankees in 2016.

Seven months later, the 31-year-old Solano is on one of the best runs of his career, establishing himself as a valuable bench piece for the Giants and riding a 10-game hitting streak that was tied with the Tigers' Nicholas Castellanos and the Indians' Carlos Santana for the second-longest active streak in the Majors entering Friday.

Solano, who did not start against the Cardinals after playing in four consecutive games while shortstop Brandon Crawford nursed a tight hamstring, is batting .380 (19-for-50) with six RBIs over his last 16 games. 

"Your bench plays such a critical role in your season," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Those guys, at some point in the season, they're going to play a major role, and that's what he's done for us. Craw goes down for the whole series [in San Diego], and [Solano] goes out there and plays a great short and gets huge hits for us." 

When the Giants called up Solano from Triple-A Sacramento in May, they envisioned using him as a backup middle infielder who could help spell Crawford and second baseman Joe Panik against tough left-handers. He's certainly excelled in that role, settling into the leadoff spot against lefties after batting .348 (16-for-46) against them this year. Bochy said Solano has also impressed with his game awareness, particularly his baserunning and steady defense. 

"He had a nice Spring Training for us," Bochy said. "He was in the mix. He went down toward the end and then finally something opened up where we could bring him up here. He's taken full advantage of it. He's done a nice job."  

Baer addresses team

Giants CEO Larry Baer, who returned to the organization Tuesday following a three-month suspension, spoke to the players in the clubhouse for a few minutes before batting practice Friday. 

"He just wanted to talk to the fellas for a little bit," Bochy said. "That's really all I'm going to say. He wanted a few minutes, the first time he's had a chance to address them, so he spent a few minutes with them."

Bergen hits setback  

Travis Bergen (left shoulder strain) experienced renewed tightness in his left shoulder following his last rehab outing with Triple-A Sacramento on Monday and will be shut down for the next week. Bochy said the rookie reliever will be reevaluated following the All-Star break. Bergen, a Rule 5 Draft pick, has been on the injured list since May 21.