The Latest Breaking News from Austin Slater

ATLANTA — Alex Wood’s homecoming was not one to remember.

ATLANTA — There was good reason to circle this series on the calendar. The defending World Series champions. The 107-win team that missed out on its chance to dethrone them in the playoffs. Even a pregame ring ceremony for the player who switched sides in the offseason.

SAN FRANCISCO — Manager Gabe Kapler had a decision to make. His starter was at 96 pitches, ran into trouble the inning prior, and was due to face the middle of the Rockies order for a third time.

SAN FRANCISCO — After traversing four cities over the past 11 days, the Giants’ team charter landed back home at about 2 a.m. Tuesday. And later that night, they began their brief homestand in the same fashion as the final four games of their road trip: with another notch in…

WASHINGTON — There was a familiar face standing 60 feet, 6 inches away Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park, and it showed, as the Giants followed up their seven-run explosion with another strong offensive showing in a 5-2 win.

WASHINGTON — Serving in the same platoon role as he has for the past two seasons, Austin Slater simply hasn’t gotten many opportunities as the Giants faced a stretch of seven straight right-handed starters to begin this road trip.

SAN FRANCISCO — Great starting pitching, power to all fields, suspect defense, and some up-and-down performances by the bullpen.

Six days before Opening Day, the Dodgers and White Sox agreed to a trade that sends closer Craig Kimbrel to Los Angeles for outfielder AJ Pollock. The deal, which was first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, is a surprising one because of the timing and lack of rumors about talks…