SAN FRANCISCO -- With third baseman Eduardo Núñez hobbled by a strained right hamstring, the Giants acquired infielder Gordon Beckham from the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.
The Braves received Minor League shortstop Rich Rodriguez in return. The Giants also promoted catcher Tony Sanchez to the Major League roster. They designated Matt Reynolds for assignment and placed Mac Williamson on the 60-day disabled list (strained left quad) in corresponding roster moves.
The acquisition of Beckham is merely a one-week solution for the Giants' infield, as the eight-year veteran is ineligible to compete in the postseason because he was acquired after Aug. 31. Regardless, because Nunez is expected to miss at least the next two games, the club felt like a move needed to be made to help its playoff outlook.
"We felt we could use the help," manager Bruce Bochy said of Beckham, who hit .217 with five home runs and a .655 OPS for Atlanta this season. "He gives us, when he's not starting, a right-handed bat coming off the bench. We're short there."
Beckham arrived at AT&T Park shortly after the Giants opened their series with the Rockies on Tuesday night, concluding what began as a perplexing day for him. The newly acquired Giant quoted the character Clark Griswold from the "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies when asked how surprised he was to be traded at this time of the season, stating, "I wouldn't have been more surprised if I woke up with my head sewn to the carpet."
"That was pretty much the way I felt about this," he added. "But I was happy about this; I was excited. I know that they're playing meaningful games right now and as a baseball player you want to be in competition like that. I was super excited to get out here, albeit for five games, and hopefully get these guys to the playoffs."
Nunez's MRI confirmed he sustained a mild right hamstring pull. Bochy said the Giants are hopeful the third baseman would be available for their series opener against the Dodgers on Friday. But he said that Beckham will be available to start if Nunez is out longer. Conor Gillaspie started at third base Tuesday.