With Mark DeRosa coming off the 60 Disabled List, the Giants made a series of corresponding roster moves to make room for the thirty six year old infielder. The Giants sent rookie outfielder-first baseman Brandon Belt down to Triple A Fresno, and bumped him off the 25 man roster to boot. To make room for Belt on the 40 man roster, the Giants designated left handed pitcher Alex Hinshaw for assignment. Hinshaw was pitching in Double A Richmond.
Mark DeRosa has had injury problems since 2009, only playing in twenty eight games last year and eighteen so far this year. During his recovery time in San Jose and Fresno, DeRosa went .319/.333/.362. DeRosa told mlb.com that he's had to change his approach due to all his wrist problems, which has left him a pure contact hitter with a sacrifice of power.
Brandon Belt has hit .335/.475/.548 during his time in the minors this year, but the inflated numbers of the PCL haven't translated to the majors, where he's only slugging .333. He is still considered the Giants' top position player prospect, but was confined to the bench, only getting five starts since his last recall. Alex Hinshaw hadn't seen major league time since 2009.
Hinshaw has already been informed of the DFA, but the good news for him is he has not previously been outrighted to the minors, so if he clears wavers he can be returned to the Flying Squirrels. When DFA-ing a player, the team has ten days to either trade or release him, and at some point in the first week, he has to be placed on waivers. If the Giants cannot trade him, and he clears waivers, they have the right to assign him back to his AA team. Had he been outrighted before, he would have the right to refuse his assignment.