With Adrianza ailing, Giants call up Frandsen
SAN DIEGO -- Kevin Frandsen, who savored being a Giant, rejoined the club Wednesday when the organization purchased his contract from Triple-A Sacramento.
The Giants needed the 33-year-old utility man, who signed a Minor League deal with San Francisco on May 31, to replace Ehire Adrianza, who sustained a concussion when he was struck in the face by a vicious one-hopper hit by San Diego's Brett Wallace during Tuesday's ninth inning.
Adrianza became the fourth Giant sidelined by a concussion, joining outfielders Nori Aoki and Gregor Blanco and first baseman Brandon Belt. It was the first professional appearance at first base for Adrianza, who's typically a middle infielder.
After being released toward the end of Spring Training by the Washington Nationals, with whom he spent the 2014 season, Frandsen hit .280 with four home runs and 48 RBIs in 112 games at Triple-A with the Arizona and San Francisco organizations.
"I'm sure he expected that he would be one of the original callups," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "But better late than never."
Frandsen rooted for the Giants as a youth while growing up in San Jose. The Giants drafted him in the 12th round in 2004 out of San Jose State, where he set the all-time hits record. He made his Giants debut in 2006, dividing his time between the Majors and Triple-A that year and the next. He ended 2007 by hitting .367 for the Giants in his final 32 games and appeared primed to claim an everyday role the following season. But Frandsen missed virtually the entire 2008 season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon in Spring Training, then was beaten out by Emmanuel Burriss for the second-base job in 2009.
Frandsen poured out his sentiment when the Giants traded him to Boston for cash considerations in March 2010.
"I got the opportunity to play in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants, and not too many Bay Area people can say that," he said. "I lived a dream for a lot of people that are Giants fans and I cherished every minute of it."
Frandsen received extensive Major League experience with the Angels in 2010 and the Phillies in 2012-13 before going to the Nationals.
To clear roster room for Frandsen, the Giants transferred outfielder Juan Perez (left oblique) from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
• Buster Posey shared fond memories of Yogi Berra, the legendary catcher who died Tuesday. While visiting New York to receive his Most Valuable Player Award in January 2013, Posey spent time with Berra as they toured the baseball icon's museum at Montclair State (N.J.) University.
"He's one of those people who makes you feel like you've known him for a while," said Posey, who said he detected "not a hint of arrogance" from the Hall of Famer.
Posey expressed admiration for Berra's baseball accomplishments by saying, "Just the sheer stats he accumulated over the course of his career are remarkable."