CHICAGO -- The Giants have another left-handed bat at their disposal, as Jarrett Parker returned to the lineup for Sunday's 8-1 loss to the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Parker was penciled in as the designated hitter for the contest, his first since Sept. 1. The 28-year-old outfielder hit a solo homer in his first at-bat in the second inning, taking White Sox starter Carson Fulmer deep with a 410-foot shot with an exit velocity of 102.2 mph, according to Statcast™.
"Just trying to help the team in any way I can, so it was nice to put the team on the board," Parker said. "It's always frustrating to get that loss."
"Tough game last night, get up early when you've got your guy out there [in Madison Bumgarner], that's encouraging," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It was good to get a lead there, 1-0, but it just got away from us."
Parker is still dealing with some lingering tightness in his return from a mild left oblique strain and is day to day in terms of playing defense. Bochy said trainers told him Parker's throwing was at about 80 percent as of Sunday.
"I'd say it's day to day -- [he] could be good to go [on Monday]," Bochy said. "We'll play it on [a] day-to-day basis on where he's at. He will ... throw today to test it out. Obviously, when we get back to our park, we won't have a DH, so it's important that he'll be able to throw to play."
"That's not necessarily up to me," Parker said. "I'm not really sure. I feel like I'm ready. I don't really feel it too much anymore. It'll be uncomfortable in certain situations, but it's definitely a lot better than it was."
The stretch run could prove critical for Parker and unproven outfielders such as Mac Williamson and Austin Slater to put their best foot forward to make an impression for 2018.
"I don't think that ever stops, trying to prove something," Bochy said. "But this isn't a do-or-die situation with all these guys. This is a great experience for them, and we're hoping they all go to winter ball ... and get better and improve their skills."
Worth noting
• Bochy said "we'll see" whether left-hander Ty Blach's move to the bullpen will be permanent through the rest of the season or if it will be for just one turn in the rotation. Blach was moved to the bullpen on Saturday as the club moved back to a five-man rotation, given the three off-days coming in the next couple of weeks.
• Right-hander Player Page for Matt Cain has continued throwing during his absence from the club while dealing with a family matter, Bochy said. Cain is expected the rejoin the Giants on Monday when they return to San Francisco for a series against the Dodgers.