Elbow Strain Lands Law on DL, Parker to Take Spot

Just a few hours before the final game of a three-game series, the San Francisco Giants placed rookie right-handed reliever Derek Law on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain in his right arm. In response to the injury, the Giants also recalled outfielder Jarrett Parker from Sacramento.

Since his call-up following an injury to fellow reliever Sergio Romo, Law's combination of a mid-90s fastball, curveball, and slider has not only made him the best reliever in San Francisco's bullpen but one of the best relievers in all of baseball.

Law has a 2.35 FIP, which ranks 12th among qualified relievers and 5th among qualified rookie relievers, to go along with a solid 8.29 strikeouts per nine innings and 1.59 walks per nine innings. He has improved as the season has gone along, only allowing one run in both July and August over the span of 22 innings.

The rookie's injury comes only a day after the Giants placed Jake Peavy on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain.

In addition to Peavy, Law will join Gregor Blanco, dealing with a right shoulder impingement, and Matt Cain, a lower back strain, on the disabled list. Hunter Pence is not officially on the disabled list, but he is currently dealing with hamstring issues.

Gorkys Hernandez has seen playing time while Pence deals with his injury, and Parker is likely to see some at-bats as well.

In 2016, Parker has a slash line of .248/.374/.413 while five home runs and 11 RBIs. The outfielder is walking at a higher rate and striking out less in comparison to last year's totals.

With a team already dearly struggling, the last thing the Giants needed was another injury to a key roster piece. The team is taking baby steps, but, at the same time, is on pace to have one of the worst second half records from a team which had the best record in baseball at the conclusion of the first half.

Despite the team's poor play, the Giants are only two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, a testament to just how dominant the team played in the first half of the season.

#news