Giants reinstate OF Mitch Haniger from 60-day IL

The Giants announced they’ve reinstated Mitch Haniger from the 60-day injured list. Heliot Ramos was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. To clear space on the 40-man roster, San Francisco designated outfielder Bryce Johnson for assignment.

Haniger returns two and a half months after breaking his arm. An errant Jack Flaherty pitch resulted in a right forearm fracture that required surgery. It was another unfortunate break for Haniger, whose career has been littered with stops and starts (often on account of rather fluky injuries of that nature). 

He’d also begun the season on the shelf after suffering a spring training oblique strain. He has appeared in 40 games to this point in his first year as a Giant, hitting .230/.281/.372 over 160 plate appearances.

Slow start notwithstanding, his return is welcome for a San Francisco offense that has struggled of late. Haniger had been an above-average hitter throughout his time with the Mariners. 

He steps right into a tight race for a wild-card spot, with S.F. half a game back of Arizona for the National League’s last spot. Haniger is hitting cleanup Tuesday and playing left field against Cincinnati southpaw Brandon Williamson.

Johnson, 27, will go on waivers in the next couple days. The switch-hitting outfielder has played in 41 games for the Giants over the last two seasons, hitting .148/.209/.213 through 67 plate appearances. He’s a good athlete and regarded as a quality defender who can cover all three positions on the grass, however.

The Sam Houston State product has hit .284/.360/.471 with 14 stolen bases in 50 Triple-A contests this year. He’s midway through his second minor league option season, so any claiming team could keep him in the minors for the foreseeable future. 

Johnson went unclaimed on waivers at the start of last offseason, so he’d have the right to test free agency if he clears again.