Top prospect Eldridge out 3-4 weeks

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants announced Tuesday that first baseman Bryce Eldridge, the club’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has a moderate right hamstring strain and will spend the next three to four weeks rehabbing in Arizona.

Eldridge suffered the injury in the fifth inning of Triple-A Sacramento’s 9-3 win over Salt Lake on Saturday, when he pulled up gingerly after rounding second base on a 106 mph double down the right-field line. The 20-year-old slugger ended up walking off the field accompanied by a team trainer, and was replaced by a pinch-runner.

Eldridge, the Giants’ 2023 first-round Draft pick, was batting .263 with an .813 OPS and 10 home runs in 50 games between Double-A Richmond and Sacramento. He also missed the first month of the Minor League season with a left wrist injury, so his latest setback could dent his chances of debuting with the Giants this year.

Even before the injury, the Giants had no intention of rushing Eldridge, who is still in the process of learning first base. With star slugger Rafael Devers now in the fold, and Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith splitting time at first base, San Francisco can certainly afford to take its time with its top prospect and give him time to recover and continue to develop in the Minors.

While Devers refused to play first base for the Red Sox, the three-time All-Star started taking grounders at the position after the Giants acquired him in a blockbuster trade last week. Devers has been dealing with a mild groin issue, which will likely slow his defensive ramp-up and keep him at designated hitter for now, but the Giants are confident that the 28-year-old will be able to eventually get comfortable at first base and give the club more options there in the coming weeks.