In the wake of placing outfielder Hunter Pence on the 15-day disabled list, the San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and cash from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Minor League right-hander Stephen Johnson.
The 37-year-old Byrd is expected to join the Giants on Friday in time for their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 96 games for the Reds this season, Byrd is hitting .237 with a .286 on base percentage, 13 doubles, three triples, 19 home runs and 42 RBIs. The Giants will become the ninth team that Byrd has played for in his 14-year career.
Byrd is coming off a 2014 season where he hit a career-high 25 home runs with 85 RBIs in 154 games for the Philadelphia Phillies.
With Pence and outfielder Angel Pagan currently on the DL for the Giants, the acquisition of Byrd gives them a veteran presence with playoff experience to plug right into the everyday lineup until they get their starters back. This addition also helps them in the long run, strengthening their bench should they make the playoffs.
Byrd has played in six postseason games in his career with the Pirates in 2013. In 22 at-bats, he batted .364 with a .391 OBP, two doubles, one home run and five RBIs.
Johnson, 24, has spent the entire 2015 season pitching for Double-A Richmond. In 44 appearances, Johnson is 3-0 with a 3.41 earned run average, while striking out 68 and allowing 45 hits in 58 innings pitched.
After Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Pirates, the Giants sit 2 1/2 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West and four games back in the Wild Card race for the second spot behind the Chicago Cubs.
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