Breakdown
Performance
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May 16, 2026
Launches homer in loss
Bader went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Athletics.
Analysis
Bader was back in the lineup after sitting out the previous two games. The Giants may simply be managing his reps coming off a hamstring injury, but Bader could also lose some at-bats against right-handed pitchers if the left-handed-hitting Drew Gilbert can show consistency at the plate. Through 66 plate appearances this season, Bader is batting .159 with a .515 OPS, three homers, five RBI, six runs scored and no stolen bases.
May 14, 2026
Taking seat Thursday
Bader isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis
Bader has a hit in each of his first two games since returning from a hamstring injury, but he'll miss a second consecutive start Thursday while Drew Gilbert patrols center field for the Giants.
May 13, 2026
Sitting vs. Ohtani
Bader is not in the Giants' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis
With the Dodgers sending Shohei Ohtani to the mound, Bader will be on the bench for the beginning of Wednesday's game while the Giants start Heliot Ramos, Drew Gilbert and Jung Hoo Lee in the outfield from left to right. Bader has gone 3-for-11 with a solo home run and a double over his last three games.
May 13, 2026
Homers in Tuesday's win
Bader went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers.
Analysis
Bader's blast tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth inning. The outfielder exited the game for pinch hitter Drew Gilbert in the seventh, which is likely part of the plan to help Bader ease back in after a month-long absence due to a hamstring strain. Bader is batting .136 with two homers, four RBI, five runs scored and no stolen bases over 62 plate appearances this season. He's likely to handle a starting role in center field, but if he can't dig out of his early slump, the right-handed-hitting Bader could cede some at-bats to the left-handed Gilbert, at least against right-handed pitchers.
May 12, 2026
Doubles in return
Bader (hamstring) went 1-for-5 with a double in Monday's 9-3 win over the Dodgers.
Analysis
After being activated from the injured list Monday, Bader returned to the Giants' lineup and hit a leadoff double in the eighth inning. The veteran outfielder missed a month of big-league action with a left hamstring strain, and he struggled at the plate in the beginning of the year while dealing with the injury. He's now slashing .123/.150/.211 with four runs scored, three RBI and one home run across 60 plate appearances this season.
May 11, 2026
Reinstated from injured list
The Giants activated Bader (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis
Bader missed a month of action with a left hamstring strain that first began bothering him late in spring training. He went 4-for-18 with two home runs, one stolen base and a 3:5 BB:K over six rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento. Bader should be in line to serve as the Giants' primary center fielder moving forward.