SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he had to make "a tough call" between Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson when it came to deciding which rookie outfielder would be optioned to Triple-A to clear roster room for Angel Pagan, who was activated from the disabled list Tuesday.
The jettisoned player was Williamson, who had probably the best of his three stints so far this year with the Giants. He batted only .143 (2-for-14), but one of his hits was a tiebreaking, eighth-inning home run off Boston ace David Price last Wednesday that propelled the Giants to a 2-1 triumph.
Williamson also improved defensively after dropping a fly ball in the ninth inning of that same game.
"I think he got better swings and felt a lot more comfortable," Bochy said.
Bochy acknowledged the power Parker has displayed gave him an edge. After homering five times in a three-game span last September, Parker entered Tuesday with three homers in 53 at-bats.
"I think more than anything, [the roster move] gives us another power bat off the bench," Bochy said.
• Jim Callis of MLBPipeline.com reported the Giants signed their fifth-round pick from the recent 2016 Draft, University of Missouri shortstop Ryan Howard. The Giants have not confirmed the signing, which reportedly includes a $250,000 bonus.