Dan Ugla
photo by Tim Evearitt
Second baseman Dan Uggla, released by the Braves on Friday, agreed to a Minor League contract with the Giants on Monday and will report to Triple-A Fresno, according to multiple reports.
The Giants have not confirmed or commented on the reports.
If Uggla makes it back to the Majors, he will only cost the Giants the prorated Major League minimum. He has an Aug. 1 opt-out clause if he hasn't yet been promoted from the Minors.
Uggla was hitting .162/.241/.231 with two home runs and 10 RBIs on the season and lost his starting job at second base to rookie Tommy La Stella. Last year, Uggla hit .179/.309/.362 with 22 homers and 55 RBIs. He's a three-time All-Star and has six seasons with at least 27 homers and 82 RBIs, the last of which was in 2011.
Starting second baseman Marco Scutaro recently made his 2014 debut, but the veteran continues to be hampered by a nagging back injury. Rookie Joe Panik has made improvements since his June callup, but is hitting just .213 with four RBIs.
The Giants have experienced a lack of bench production, so if Uggla can regain his power stroke, he could provide an upgrade. Ehire Adrianza is hitting .222, Joaquin Arias is at .182, Gregor Blanco .227 and Hector Sanchez .194.
----- Source: MLB.com