It's only April, but the San Francisco Giants are already desperate for outfield help. Going into Wednesday's game, their outfielders were hitting a combined .197/.266/.269 (47 OPS+) in 263 plate appearances. Brutal. Absolutely brutal.
Injuries have played a part in that. Jarrett Parker (clavicle), Mac Williamson (quad), and Denard Span (shoulder) are all on the disabled list, as is Aaron Hill (forearm), who had been playing some left field. The Giants needed outfield help, so on Wednesday they activated veteran Michael Morse, who last played in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates last April.
Morse, now 35, spent the 2014 season with the Giants and was a key member of their World Series championship team. He hit a game-tying pinch-hit home run in Game 5 of the NLCS, then he drove in the game-winning run in Game 7 of the World Series. Morse was only in San Francisco for one season, but he had several memorable moments.
On Wednesday, he added another. In his first at-bat back in the big leagues, he hit a game-tying solo home run in the eighth inning. Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez served it up. Check this out:
Michaelâs back for Morse. pic.twitter.com/dUSf2xg6jZ
— MLB (@MLB) April 27, 2017
What an awesome moment. Look at the smile on Morse's face. Look at it:
Goal: To one day be as happy as Mike Morse is in this moment pic.twitter.com/lbFzQnuWNh
— Carmen Kiew (@carmenkiew) April 27, 2017
No one is happier to be back in the big leagues and contributing than him. What a fun moment.
The Giants signed Morse to a minor-league contract over the winter, though the start of his season was delayed by a hamstring injury. Given their injury issues, he could very well see time in left field going forward. Either that or Morse will play some first base with Brandon Belt in left field.