The San Francisco Giants have sent starting second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald (28), who has struggled with a batting average below .100 since May, to the minor leagues.

On the 24th (Korean time), San Francisco sent infielder Fitzgerald to Triple-A Sacramento River Cats using a minor option while recalling pitcher Justin Verlander to the 26-man roster after he returned from paternity leave. This is Fitzgerald's first trip to the minors this season.

Fitzgerald emerged as a surprise star for San Francisco last year, posting a .280 batting average (88 hits in 314 at-bats), 15 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases with an OPS of .831 in 96 games. He started this year as the starting second baseman and performed well through April, with a batting average of .284 (23 hits in 81 at-bats), 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases with an OPS of .773 over 25 games. However, after suffering an injury to his left ribcage and landing on the injured list, his performance declined.

Since his return from injury on the 17th of last month, Fitzgerald has struggled, posting a batting average of .186 (18 hits in 97 at-bats) with no home runs, 3 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases, and an OPS of .472 over 32 games. In the latest 6 games, excluding 3 sacrifice bunts, he has gone 0 for 11 with 1 walk, deepening his slump. Overall, his season numbers stand at a batting average of .230 (41 hits in 178 at-bats), 2 home runs, 10 RBIs, 9 stolen bases, and an OPS of .609.

In the meantime, multi-infielder Casey Schmidt has made an impression after receiving starting opportunities due to starting third baseman Matt Chapman's wrist injury. In games against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 14th and 15th, Schmidt hit back-to-back grand slams, showing strong performances with a batting average of .286 (26 hits in 91 at-bats), 4 home runs, 15 RBIs, and an OPS of .830 over 32 games. With Chapman nearing his return, Schmidt is expected to continue getting opportunities at second base with Fitzgerald out.

San Francisco's team batting average (.232) and OPS (.688) rank 24th in the league, indicating weak offensive production. Following ongoing batting struggles throughout the season, Buster Posey, President of Baseball Operations, has taken bold steps to make changes as of June. After designating lead-off hitter Lamonte Wade Jr. for assignment on the 5th, they traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for cash, and on the 16th, they acquired slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in a major trade. Along with sending Fitzgerald to the minors, they are desperately trying to rejuvenate their offensive capabilities.

The next player with poor offensive production after Fitzgerald since May is Lee Jung-hoo. He led the San Francisco lineup until April with a batting average of .319 (37 hits in 116 at-bats), 3 home runs, 18 RBIs, and an OPS of .901 over 30 games. However, since May, he has produced a batting average of .260 (35 hits in 170 at-bats), 3 home runs, and 16 RBIs with an OPS of .605 over 45 games, experiencing two months of decline. His overall season performance stands at a batting average of .252 (72 hits in 286 at-bats), 6 home runs, 34 RBIs, and an OPS of .725.

Lee Jung-hoo's salary for this year is $16.83 million, making him the fourth highest on the team. Unlike Wade Jr., who was making $5 million and was DFA'd, or Fitzgerald, who is making the league minimum of $780,000 and could be sent to the minors, San Francisco offered Lee a day off or lowered his batting order to 6th or 7th on the 22nd. However, he has shown no signs of breaking out of his slump, going hitless in 14 at-bats over the last 4 games.

As of the 24th, San Francisco holds a record of 44 wins and 34 losses (winning percentage .564), ranking 2nd, 3.5 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers (48 wins, 31 losses, winning percentage .608) in the National League (NL) West Division. Given the ongoing competition for division titles and rankings, it is challenging to afford to wait patiently for Lee Jung-hoo’s resurgence. While Fitzgerald's demotion to the minors is not something that will happen to Lee, it should not be taken lightly.

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