Playing hide and seek

Tigers 5, Giants 4

The Giants' top prospect is in the major leagues. This is what every team wants.

They even cleared a path to playing time by trading a veteran player. That's how much they value the promise of Marco Luciano.

Two weeks ago, you could imagine Luciano's name in Sharpie on the lineup card every day.

Now you might be wondering if Bob Melvin is using invisible ink.

Where is Marco Luciano? He's started four games in two weeks.

He's stuck behind a fellow named Jerar Encarnacion at DH. He appeared on Sunday in a way that reminded me of my own career, entering as a pinch runner with two outs in the ninth.

The Giants would tell you that they need to stick with the hot hands. They've surged the last two weeks because of Encarnacion. They can't risk Luciano at the plate—and especially in the field—in these high-pressure games.

I would tell you that's fine. But why call him up in the first place? Why rearrange your roster for him?

In the standings and with Luciano, the Giants are caught in the middle. It's the worst place to be.

Up next: The reeling Braves come to San Francisco for four. They just blew a six-run lead to the Rockies on Sunday. Tonight brings a marquee matchup at 6:45 p.m.: Chris Sale (13-3, 2.75 ERA) vs. Blake Snell (2-3, 4.31 ERA).