SAN FRANCISCO _ The question after Tuesday night's 4-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks wasn't whether Denard Span could have caught that three-run triple near the center-field wall.
It's whether Melvin Upton Jr. could. And maybe throw Drew Stubbs into that conversation, too.
Gorkys Hernandez is the right-handed portion of the Giants' hazy platoon in center field, and Hernandez is the one who couldn't catch Jake Lamb's drive with the bases loaded in the third inning. He appeared to have the ball tracked down as he approached the wall, but he mistimed his little hop and whiffed on it as three runs scored.
On Wednesday morning, the Giants finalized their minor league contract with Upton Jr. and he has reported to extended spring training in Arizona, GM Bobby Evans said.
It'll be a few days before Upton Jr. would join Triple-A Sacramento. He strikes out a ton, but he also hit 20 home runs last season _ most of them against NL West pitchers with the San Diego Padres.
Is it too early to acknowledge the Giants must make a change in the outfield? Their left fielders are 2 for 32 with 13 strikeouts. Hernandez is 2 for 25, with most of his at-bats coming in center.
Bochy said after the loss that he would keep faith in Hernandez.
"He's so good out there," Bochy said. "He was upset with himself. He's a gifted center fielder and he just didn't quite catch up with it. You take your chances with him out there."
The Giants obviously have positive evaluations of Hernandez's defensive ability, although I'm not sure we've seen it in a brief glimpse over two seasons. I don't think they will give up on him just two weeks into the season.
But roster decisions are all about your alternatives. We'll find out soon enough if Upton Jr. (or Stubbs) could be better than what they have.
