Mike Papierski is the latest sudden inclusion in the ever-shifting personnel of the Kapler/Zaidi system. The 25-year-old catcher came over to the Giants a week ago in the trade with the Houston Astros for Mauricio Dubón. Curt Casali took a foul tip to the mask in Friday night’s game, Joey Bart had to suit up quickly and cold to replace him. Kapler and staff went with the rookie Papierski to start Saturday instead of Bart.

I like it. What’s the point of carrying three catchers if they don’t all get time during the regular season? And, as I have written here many times, I absolutely approve of carrying three catchers in the postseason. Papierski is 25 and has significant minor league experience, but it was yet another example of Kapler throwing newbs into the deep end. Kapler expects guys to perform, he doesn’t make excuses for the circumstance.

Papierski was good catching Carlos Rodón on Saturday and while it was John Shea who covered the Casali concussion, the newest Giants catcher brought a former Chron beat writer, Henry Schulman, out of the woodwork. Hank’s piece on Papierski’s debut is the best. You should definitely check it out. It includes this gem:

“A week earlier he was a Sugar Land Space Cowboy in the Pacific Coast League. Now he was squatting before tens of thousands of fans, getting an up-close view of the National League’s best hitter, Manny Machado, slamming a top-of-the-zone, 99 mph Rodón fastball 425 feet for his eighth home run, a solo in the third inning.”

Besides Casali being gone for 7-day concussion protocol, LaMonte Wade, Jr. was put on the ten day IL with ankle inflammation on Friday. Brandon Belt was scratched from Saturday’s start as well, which left the Giants without much power against Joe Musgrove, who mowed em down scoreless for seven innings. They fell Giants 1, Padres 2. The guys lost the opener of the series in a gut-wrencher Giants 7, Padres 8. The season series is now tied 3 – 3.

Luke Williams DFA’d

The Giants have a week to trade Luke Williams or waive him. He was designated for assignment to make room for Papierski. MLBTR says: “Acquired from the Phillies in March, Williams has played eight games and hit .250/.250/.333, 67 wRC+, though he’s hit much better in ten Triple-A games.” He has value. It could be that we see a Farhan Zaidi deal and another new Giant soon.

Lets go Giants! Beat the Pads!

Alex Wood (3-2, 3.93 ERA, 35 K) is on the mound for the Giants today. He goes against lefty MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 2.17 ERA, 32 K)