Joe Panik placed on DL with lower back inflammation

Joe Panik has been placed on the disabled list with lower back inflammation and the Giants have purchased the contract of Kelby Tomlinson. Panik tried to play through the injury with treatment, but there was still soreness that forced him out of multiple games the last ten days.

Panik, 24, was in the middle of his breakout season slashing .309/.374/.443 with a 135 wRC+, 3.9 fWAR in 423 plate appearances. He ranks second in fWAR among qualified major league second basemen.

Tomlinson, 25, has always been one of the fastest guys in the Giants’ organization, but he started hitting this season in Double-A Richmond. In 289 plate appearances in Richmond this year he slashed .324/.387/.431 with a 139 wRC+, but just one homer before being promoted to Triple-A. In Sacramento he slashed .321/.362/.389 with a 104 wRC+ in 143 plate appearances.

Ehire Adrianza and Tomlinson will fill in at second for Panik while he’s on the disabled list.

The Giants are currently 2.5 games back of the Dodgers in the division and tied for the second wild card spot with the Cubs.

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