Wilmer Flores’ ‘true skill’ Gabe Kapler appreciates and why SF Giants manager called him into his office

SAN FRANCISCO — A regular fixture in the Giants’ lineup last season, Wilmer Flores has been mostly resigned to a bench role this year. With the 31-year-old veteran receiving an increasingly rare start Saturday, manager Gabe Kapler figured it would be a good time to call him into his office for a pregame chat.

“I asked him to come in and shared with him how much I respect how he’s approached this challenging situation,” Kapler said Saturday before the Giants’ second of three games against the Orioles, with Flores penciled in at third base and in the cleanup spot.

Already in a logjam at the corner infield spots, with LaMonte Wade Jr. at first and J.D. Davis at third, Flores’ name has been a rarer presence on the lineup card since the arrival of Casey Schmitt and the emergence of Brett Wisely, adding another two infielders to the mix. Saturday marked only his ninth start in 23 games since Schmitt was recalled on May 9.

Kapler, who made a 12-year MLB career out of mostly part-time roles, told Flores he understands the difficult position he’s been put in.

“When you’re not playing regularly and your swing’s not exactly where you want it to be, I can speak from personal experience, that is as challenging as any job in the sport,” Kapler said. “I just wanted Wilmer to know that I know what he’s going through to some degree and wanted him to know that I acknowledge that I haven’t put him in the best spots to have success.”

In the stretch of games since Schmitt’s arrival, Flores is batting .162/.220/.216, lowering his season OPS from .813 — not far off from the .757 mark he posted in his first three years in San Francisco, from 2020-22 — to .704. Just one example of the difficult situations Flores has been thrown into came Friday night, when he was called on to pinch-hit in the eighth inning.

Facing one piece of Baltimore’s shutdown bullpen, Flores worked a walk against Yennier Cano. The plate appearance proved inconsequential, but it was notable nonetheless. It was only the second batter Cano had walked in 30 innings this season, while striking out 30.

“He’s been getting at-bats against some of the toughest relievers in the game,” Kapler said. “I don’t think his performance to date this season is really indicative of what he’s capable of. … There are going to be ups and downs and there are going to be even more ups and downs when you’re not getting regular playing time. It’s been a tough spot for him. I respect the professional that he is that he hasn’t complained about it one time.”

Being a good part-time player, Kapler said, is as much a skill as anything else fundamental to the sport — something Flores understands.

“What he told me is it’s part of the job,” Kapler said. “As a solid bench player at times … I knew it was my responsibility to be good at not playing regularly. Being good at a part-time role is a true skill, one that I really respect.”

It’s also a skill Flores will likely have to continue to hone, with the looming returns of Joc Pederson and Thairo Estrada further complicating potential playing time.

“In an ideal world, Wilmer is playing regularly, at least several times a week,” Kapler said. “And we haven’t been able to guarantee him that.”

Notable

— With Michael Conforto (heel) still limited to pinch-hitting duties, the Giants reserved fellow outfielder Bryce Johnson on Friday in case he was needed to enter as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement. Conforto remained limited to pinch-hitting Saturday, Kapler said.

— Catcher Joey Bart (groin) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento, going 1-for-4 Friday night, and was back in the lineup Saturday, batting cleanup. … Joc Pederson (hand) could rejoin the club as early as Sunday’s series finale, Kapler said. He began a rehab assignment at Single-A San Jose on Saturday, his first game action since May 12. … Thairo Estrada (wrist) participated in pregame fielding drills.