Hunter Pence Designated For Assignment Amid Slow Start
San Francisco Giants outfielder/designated hitter Hunter Pence was designated for assignment prior to Sundays contest against the D-backs. Pence has gotten off to a tremendously slow start in 2020, slashing .096/.161/.250 through his first 17 games. After an All-Star campaign last year, Pence appeared to have revived himself into a fantasy commodity, but his new surroundings throw that into question. With Pence off the roster, the club activated Sam Coonrod off of the injured list.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence (foot) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth on Thursday night against Dodgers right-handed starter Dustin May. Pence was dealing with some foot inflammation in the last part of summer camp, but he's clearly fine to hit to open the regular season. The universal DH in the National League this year boost's Pence's fantasy stock a bit in deep mixed and NL-only leagues, but nobody should really be expecting him to repeat his .297/.358/.552 slash line last year with Texas, which included 18 home runs, 59 RBI, 53 runs and six stolen bases in 316 plate appearances. Pence will be facing LA's No. 2 prospect in May on Thursday night.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence (foot) did some running on Wednesday but still isn't playing the field and served as the designated hitter in an intrasquad game on Thursday. The veteran outfielder is dealing with some inflammation in his foot and might not be ready to play the field by Opening Day, but the universal designated hitter in 2020 could allow Pence not to miss out on any at-bats once the season starts. The 37-year-old surprised many last year by slashing .297/.358/.552 with Texas, including 18 home runs, 59 RBI, 53 runs and six steals in 316 plate appearances. Don't count on similar numbers with him back in San Francisco, though, and injuries remain an issue. Pence won't bring a whole lot to the table in mixed leagues.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence's (foot) MRI exam on Friday revealed inflammation in his foot. He is still hitting, but the coaching staff will keep him from running over the weekend, according to manager Gabe Kapler. It's good news for the 37-year-old and his chances of being ready by Opening Day on July 23 against the Dodgers. The veteran outfielder was an All-Star in 2019 in a bounce-back season with the Rangers when he hit .297/.358/.552 with 18 home runs, 59 RBI, 53 runs and six stolen bases in 83 games. The universal designated hitter in 2020 should allow him to see regular at-bats for the Giants, but it'd be a surprise if he played as well as he did in 2019 in his return to pitcher-friendly San Francisco.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence (foot) underwent an MRI exam on his right foot, which has been bothering him in summer camp. The Giants should have the results of the exam later on Friday. Consider the 37-year-old veteran day-to-day for now, but this isn't what you want to see from an aging outfielder coming off a rebound season in Texas when he hit .297/.358/.552 with 18 home runs, 59 RBI, 53 runs scored and six stolen bases in 83 games. In 2018 with San Fran, Pence hit just .226 with four home runs, 24 RBI and five steals in 97 games. The universal designated hitter in the National League this year should help his cause for consistent at-bats, but you shouldn't be expecting all that much. Pence is mostly an NL-only option in 2020.
Hunter Pence Has Foot Pain, Buster Posey Misses Practice
San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence (foot) took batting practice on Wednesday but wasn't able to run the bases or play the outfield as a precautionary measure because of minor pain in his foot, according to manager Gabe Kapler. Catcher Buster Posey missed another practice Wednesday because of a personal issue that kept him away from a workout last Friday. Pence surprised by hitting .297 with 18 home runs in 83 games for the Rangers in 2019, but the 37-year-old is an injury risk for fantasy owners as outfield depth. The universal designated hitter should help his cause for more at-bats, just don't expect a repeat of 2019, especially in a more pitcher-friendly park and in a weak lineup. Posey's absence doesn't appear to be COVID-19-related, so he should be fine for Opening Day.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence is the obvious candidate for the team's designated hitter spot this year given his age (37) and the fact that he's coming off a season with the Rangers where he mostly served as the DH while also dealing with injury and posting an OPS of .910. Pablo Sandoval could be another option, as his main position of third base is blocked by Evan Longoria. Wilmer Flores gives the Giants strong depth at almost every infield position, but he's another DH option after hitting a career-best .317 with the Diamondbacks in 2019. Pence finished with a .297 average and 18 home runs in 83 games for Texas. If he's given consistent at-bats as the DH during the 60-game season, he might actually be worth a late-round flier in deeper leagues, but don't expect too much.
The San Francisco Giants are in agreement on an undisclosed deal with outfielder Hunter Pence, according to a source. Pence is headed to San Francisco on Friday to take a physical after turning down offers from the Astros and Padres. The veteran outfielder was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2019 with the Rangers when he hit .297/.358/.552 with 18 home runs, 59 RBI and six stolen bases in 286 at-bats. His second half was cut short by injuries, but it was a great season for the 36-year-old (37 in April). He'll return to a Giants team that he played for from 2012 to 2018. The four-time All-Star has a chance to see semi-regular playing time, but fantasy owners shouldn't expect the numbers he put up last year, plus he's an obvious injury risk. San Francisco isn't a hitter's haven like Texas is either.
The Houston Astros have made an offer to outfielder Hunter Pence, according to MLB sources. Pence was drafted by Houston and played for them from 2007 to 2011. He's a four-time All-Star, including in 2019 with the Rangers when he hit .297 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI in a resurgent season. The 36-year-old (37 in April) also won two World Series titles with the Giants and played for them from 2012 to 2018. Despite the good season in 2019, groin and back ailments limited him, and it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy and as productive as he was in 2019. In Houston, the veteran outfielder would surely be a part-time player, limiting his fantasy appeal to deep mixed and AL-only leagues. The 'Stros already have left-handed hitting outfielders Josh Reddick, Kyle Tucker, Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez.
The San Francisco Giants are among the teams showing interest in outfielder Hunter Pence, according to sources. Pence played with the Giants from 2012 to 2018 before becoming an unlikely All-Star with the Rangers in 2019 when he hit .297/.358/.552 with 18 home runs, 59 RBI and six stolen bases in 83 games. The 36-year-old (37 in April) hasn't played 100 games in each of the last two years due to injury, however, and he'd likely only be a platoon option in San Francisco's outfield if he returns. It was a nice bounce-back campaign last year, but fantasy owners would be wise not to expect the same thing in 2020. All things considered, Pence wouldn't be bad for outfield depth in single-universe leagues.
