Giants' Michael Conforto and Nick Ahmed poised to return, posing roster crisis

The Sacramento River Cats roster will be filled with the San Francisco Giants in the coming days as a number of injured starters embark on rehab assignments.

Outfielder Michael Conforto (hamstring) was 1 for 3 in his first game Friday night, while Austin Slater, who is expected to undergo longer rehab from a concussion, is 1 for 9 in three matches. Shortstop Nick Ahmed, out with a sprained wrist since May 10, will begin Saturday night and pitcher Keaton Winn (forearm sprain) will travel to Sacramento on Tuesday.

“Obviously, with all the injuries these guys have, we want to make sure they're ready to go when they get here and still have nothing left,” manager Bob Melvin said.

Conforto, Ahmed and Slater could be activated for the Giants' upcoming road trip to Arizona and Texas, Melvin said. Inserting Conforto's bat and Ahmed's glove back into the mix could provide another boost to a Giants team that is 10-4 over the past two weeks.

Their returns will also create a roster crisis that will eliminate one or two players who have contributed mightily to the Giants' recent success.

Luis Matos – who earned Player of the Week honors for driving in 16 runs with a .385 average against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies when he was called up in mid-May – will retain his position in the team. big league as Jung Hoo Lee's replacement in center field. Matos is batting .150 since moving to first place shortly after winning the POY, but his defense has improved significantly.

Logically, the return of Conforto and Slater could spell the end of Heliot Ramos' time with the big league team, for now. The 24-year-old helped revive the Giants after a brutal 1-6 road trip through Boston and Philadelphia, batting .280 with two homers in 21 games since arriving on May 8. Although it's a small sample size, his 75.8 mph average bat speed ranks well above the league average – a notable attribute.

It's fair to wonder why Ramos didn't land a regular role. Scouts are questioning Ramos' long-term viability at the plate because he can get away with shooting. And while he's hitting .343 with a fastball, his .200 average against off-speed pitches is concerning.

Alongside third baseman Matt Chapman, Ahmed's return to shortstop gives the Giants a total of six Gold Gloves and a defensive advantage against most opponents on the left side of the infield. Marco Luciano is on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain, which likely means Ahmed will push Casey Schmitt back to Triple-A.

Brett Wisely, a natural second baseman, could stay longer. He quickly warmed up to shortstop in place of Ahmed while hitting 10 for 28 in 12 games. With LaMonte Wade Jr. down for at least a month, Wisely helps fill the left-handed void.

Wu Tang Clan Tours: Wu Tang classics such as “CREAM” and “Protect Ya Neck” were blasted over the speakers at Oracle Park during batting practice Saturday and players swung around the cage wearing T-shirts black with the Wu Tang symbol adorned in orange on the front.

Why is a West Coast crew taking an entire day to celebrate the quintessential East Coast hip-hop group? This kicks off the Giants' celebration of “Black Music Month” celebrated in June. With the New York Yankees in town for a rare visit, it seemed fitting to welcome the Staten Island-born group.

To the delight of Wu Tang fans such as bullpen coach Garvin Alston, Chapman and Wade – whose song is “CREAM” – a few members of the nine-member group spoke with the team in the clubhouse before Saturday's game. Wu Tang members will stay during the game to participate in the in-game entertainment while some players will have their names translated into a Wu Tang name generator that will spit out the player's custom Wu Tang-inspired name.

The rise of Robbie Ray: Later, a major offseason addition will take a big step toward returning to the mound. Ray, the 31-year-old left-handed starter, will pitch a game for the first time since undergoing Tommy John and flexor surgeries last year when he pitches an inning against Arizona Complex League hitters , rookie level, Tuesday.

Ray is on track for a return around the All-Star break.

Contact Shayna Rubin: [email protected]