Alex Dickerson’s last trip to San Diego was marred by a COVID-19 scare that generated undue stress for him and his family. He’ll be back in his hometown this weekend, but on a much happier note.

The Giants placed Dickerson on the paternity list on Saturday, as he and his wife, Jennifer, are expected to welcome their first child, a boy. Dickerson can be on the paternity list for three days, though manager Gabe Kapler said he isn’t sure when the 30-year-old outfielder will rejoin the team.

“My inclination is that it won’t be too long based on discussions I’ve had with Alex,” Kapler said Saturday. “But I really do want to give him the time he needs with his family. We’re going to stay in close contact. We texted last night. He told me he’d give me updates, and I’m looking forward to those.”

Dickerson’s departure leaves the Giants thin on outfielders, as Mike Yastrzemski remains “day to day, moment to moment” with a mild right calf strain and Austin Slater is unavailable to play defense due to an elbow injury. San Francisco started its three remaining outfielders -- Darin Ruf, Mauricio Dubón and Luis Alexander Basabe -- against A’s left-hander Jesús Luzardo on Saturday, though the club brought up some insurance in the form of infielder Daniel Robertson, who started at shortstop in Saturday's 6-0 loss and went 1-for-3 with a smooth defensive play in the third. He also has experience playing left field.

“I think he’s a fine option for us in the outfield and a fine option for us in the shortstop position,” Kapler said. “I think it’s less about defensive prowess and more about flexibility right now.”

San Francisco also recalled Wandy Peralta and optioned Andrew Suárez to the alternate training site in Sacramento, Calif. Peralta was sent down on Friday after he threw 49 pitches over a career-high three innings in Thursday’s 6-4 win over the Mariners, but he became eligible to return before the requisite 10 days because he replaced Dickerson on the 28-man roster.

The Giants needed another bullpen arm after starters Drew Smyly, Tyler Anderson and Logan Webb were unable to get past the fourth inning in each of the club’s past three games. Kapler said Anderson, who was tossed from his start on Thursday for arguing balls and strikes, could be available to pitch out of the bullpen beginning on Sunday.

Kapler didn’t have much new information on the status of Yastrzemski, though he said the Giants have talked about potentially using him as a designated hitter before he’s ready to return to the outfield.

“As soon as Yastrzemski is ready to be on the field in any capacity safely, we’ll want to utilize him in that capacity safely,” Kapler said. “It’s as simple as that. He has been among our best players all season long, and he’s been a very well-rounded player. Obviously, he’s hit lefties and righties. The moment that he’s ready to be in the batter’s box if he can do so without risking his short or long-term health, we’re going to push for that.”