
LOS ANGELES -- The Giants were already looking at Gorkys Hernandez as a possible September call-up, but Gregor Blanco's continued struggles forced the issue.
Blanco has been playing through right shoulder soreness since May and is batting just .130 in the second half with one extra-base hit. The Giants put him on the DL with a right shoulder impingement and called up Hernandez, a speedy veteran who had a solid season in Triple-A.
"I tried to play through it," Blanco said. "I'm a guy that loves to play and compete but at some point you've got to realize you're not helping the team or yourself."
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Blanco hurt himself on a headfirst slide into first base.
"People are always telling me not to, but at this point it's my nature," he said of going headfirst.
[RELATED: Giants place Blanco on DL with shoulder impingement]
Blanco played through the injury for a while and the Giants needed the help because Hunter Pence went down with a hamstring injury soon after. Blanco said the soreness sapped him of some "snap" in his swing in recent weeks and the Giants sent him for an MRI on Monday that showed inflammation.
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Hernandez hit .302 for the River Cats with 22 doubles and eight homers. He is a similar player to Blanco and he provides another center fielder on the roster. Hernandez twisted his knee a couple weeks ago but said he's back to full health.
"I feel better," he said. "It's no problem."
Hernandez was chosen in part because Mac Williamson (shoulder) is still not ready. Williamson has not been able to play consistently for Sacramento.
"He's not 100 percent," Bochy said. "It flares up on him (when he plays). He's been getting sore so we back off of him."