MILWAUKEE — The San Francisco Giants entered Wednesday with the worst record in the National League, but they still landed all of their regulars on the All-Star ballot, even Harrison Bader, currently on the injured list for a second time.
None of the Giants are likely to make it in off the fan ballot, given the team’s record, but Arraez would be an obvious excellent choice as a league selection, and Schmitt and Lee are worthy of consideration. Were the ballot to include a utility spot, Schmitt would be terrific.
Arraez is batting a team-best .323 and has turned himself into one of the best defensive second basemen in the league so far with the help of Ron Washington, while Lee has been the Giants’ hottest hitter his past 10 games, lifting his average to .307.
Key reliever heads to IL: Lefty Matt Gage, the bullpen’s workhorse with a team-high 29 appearances, went on the 15-day IL on Wednesday with right knee inflammation.
Gage is 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA, and he’s allowed 18 hits and 13 walks in 24 innings, striking out 19. Over his past eight outings, he has given up five runs in six innings, including two homers, while posting a 7.50 ERA.
To replace him, the Giants recalled right-hander Dylan Smith. Smith was briefly up last month and worked in one game for two-thirds of an inning.