What It Means:

There's no report of an injury for Span at this time, but he was dealing with a stiff neck towards the end of August, and the Giants likely want to ration out his work to preserve his health over the remainder of the regular season. For Panik, it's merely a standard day off. Gorkys Hernandez is starting in center and hitting fifth while Kelby Tomlinson mans second and bats eighth for San Francisco.

After posting a combined .331 wOBA in 361 games with the Washington Nationals, Span has seen his wOBA fall to .309 in his first year with the Giants. Panik has struggled this season as well, posting a .310 wOBA that is below league average (.318).