Giants activate Austin Slater from IL, option Brett Wisely

Slater has arguably become an overlooked member of the Giants core over the past few seasons. While injuries and large platoon splits have limited his overall contribution, Slater excels in a few key areas. The Stanford product is an above-average defensive player and has hit .285/.377/.469 line with 32 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs, 71 walks, and 139 strikeouts in 640 career plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. Given the Giants' early-season struggles against southpaws, Slater should be able to help improve their productivity.

While Slater only appeared in three spring training games, he hit .333/.429/.556 with a double, a home run, a walk, and six strikeouts in 21 plate appearances with the Sacramento River Cats on a rehab assignment.

The Giants acquired Wisely this offseason in a minor trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder prospect Tristan Peters. Wisely was a solid performer in Tampa Bay's system. The Giants were high enough on his upside to add Wisely to the 40-man roster.

Wisely hit .274/.371/.461 with 15 home runs and 31 stolen bases at Double-A last season. An above-average athlete, Wisely was also a versatile defender, appearing at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and left field. However, this spring, he acclimated himself nicely to center field.

Wisely recorded his first big-league hit on Friday but was just 1-for-14 with six strikeouts during his stint with the Giants. He will now return to Triple-A, where he has posted a .304/.467/.500 triple-slash with nearly as many walks (13) as strikeouts (14) in 63 plate appearances this season.