The Giants added another versatile infield option Tuesday, claiming Brett Harris off waivers from the Red Sox and sending him to Triple-A.
Boston had designated Harris for assignment earlier in the week to make room for right-hander Jedixson Paez. San Francisco’s move came alongside a roster shuffle that included transferring righty Keaton Winn to the 60-day injured list, although the club didn’t actually need to clear space for Harris. The Giants already had a couple of openings on the 40-man roster, and Winn’s move pushed the total number of players on the 60-day IL to 14.
Harris, 28, landed with Boston in a minor July trade from the A’s after Oakland had DFA’d him. He barely got on the field for the Red Sox, appearing in just one game and starting at first base, where he went 0-for-2 with a hit-by-pitch. Most of his season has been spent at Triple-A, where he has put together a strong 119 wRC+ in 71 minor league games between the two organizations.
At the big-league level, Harris has a .593 OPS in 74 games. He spent his entire pro career in the A’s system before this season, and his calling card is simple: he can move around the infield. In the majors, he has played every position except shortstop, and he has seen a handful of games at short in the minors as well.
That kind of flexibility is useful for a Giants club missing Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Casey Schmitt, and Marcelo Mayer. San Francisco could still decide to lean on younger options like Nate Furman and Osleivis Basabe to finish out the year, unless more injuries create a need for Harris.
Winn’s trip to the 60-day IL comes after right elbow neuritis surfaced near the end of August, his second elbow issue of the season after a strain in June. When healthy, he had given the Giants quality innings out of the bullpen, posting a 3.35 ERA in 44 appearances and leading the team with 14 holds.
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