Grant Green’s debut with Giants a surprise
Three years removed from making his major-league debut with the A’s, Grant Green made his Giants debut Thursday night at the Coliseum.
The second baseman was called up after infielder Ramiro Peña sprained his left ankle colliding with Mac Williamson in the third inning of Wednesday’s 7-1 loss to the A’s.
Peña had been subbing for second baseman Joe Panik, who is on San Francisco’s seven-day concussion disabled list.
Coming out of USC as a shortstop, Green went to the A’s in the first round (13th overall) of the 2009 MLB draft.
After just five games with the big-league club, the A’s traded Green to the Angels for Alberto Callaspo.
Entering Thursday, he owned a career .249 batting average with three home runs, 31 RBIs and 29 runs in 109 major-league games.
Green hit .294 with six home runs, 33 RBIs and 34 runs for Triple-A Sacramento before a lost bat by Williamson — yes, that Williamson — hit him in the right knee June 19.
After getting four stitches and missing nine games, Green was set to return to the River Cats’ lineup Thursday night against Albuquerque.
“He was going to start in Sacramento, so why not start here?” San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.
To clear a spot for Green on their 25-man roster, the Giants optioned right-hander Chris Stratton to Sacramento.
To get Green on the 40-man roster, they designated right-hander Jake Smith for assignment.
In 201/3 innings for Double-A Richmond, Smith was 2-1 with a 7.08 ERA.
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