The Chicago Cubs activated third baseman Kris Bryant from the disabled list Wednesday and put him in the lineup against the Giants.
The slugger had been on the disabled list since June 26 because of left shoulder inflammation.
Infielder David Bote was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Bryant.
Bryant completed a two-game rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee Tuesday before flying to San Francisco to join the Cubs.
“I think the mission was accomplished down there,” Bryant said. “I feel pretty good.”
He added: “I’m sure there will be days in the future when it feels sore, but right now it feels pretty good.”
When the shoulder became an issue, Bryant said extra time in the batting cage caused the soreness, but when he went on the DL he said he originally hurt it about a month before on a slide.
Bryant has been solid this season, but the former MVP struggled in June. He is batting .280 with nine homers and 36 RBIs.
The Cubs had just lost their fifth in a row when Bryant went on the DL, but they have turned it around since then with a 10-3 record. The Cubs were trying to take two of three games by winning the rubber game Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco.
Bryant will be a big boost as teams wonder what they need before the trade deadline.
“I don’t know if all the discomfort is gone entirely,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “It may be something he has to play with. We’ll find out as we move forward.”
Maddon he “may have to be more proactive in giving him a day off,” something he has been doing more with Anthony Rizzo.
“I don’t know the answers but I’m prepared if we have to,” Maddon said.