Giants IF Rich Aurilia goes on DL to clear roster room for return of Schierholtz

Giants IF Rich Aurilia back on DL

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants infielder Rich Aurilia went back on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday and San Francisco activated outfielder Nate Schierholtz from the DL.

Aurilia returned to the DL, this time with an ankle injury, only five days after coming off from a toe infection.

Aurilia is now all but assured of finishing the season with the Giants considering he will spend two weeks on the DL and have a rehab outing before rosters expand on Sept. 1. There was speculation the longtime fan favorite might be released in a numbers move to get Schierholtz back on the roster.

The 37-year-old Aurilia has tendinitis in his left ankle. It also bothered him last season and he had a cortisone injection as recently as before the All-Star break.

“It’s not something that snuck up on me,” Aurilia said after the Giants’ 4-2, 10-inning win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It just so coincides with the time that we had to make a roster move.”

How did he react to being told he was going back on the DL so soon?

“He was fine,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “I don’t get caught up in things that are rumors. We have to be concerned with what we have on the club and what we’re going to do.”

Aurilia is batting .220 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 50 games this season, his third back with the Giants after playing for San Francisco from 1995-2003.

Aurilia was an All-Star for the Giants in 2001 and helped them to the World Series the next season, when San Francisco lost to the wild-card Angels in Game 7. He has 18 RBIs in 25 career postseason games.

“I’m confident I’m going to be fine and hopefully be activated when I’m eligible,” Aurilia said.

The questions surrounding Aurilia’s status have clearly been weighing on him.

Before Tuesday’s game, Aurilia said, “I’m active today and that’s all you guys need to know.” He flied out to left in a pinch-hit appearance.

Schierholtz had been out with a strained left hip. He started in right field and batted fifth Wednesday for San Francisco’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Schierholtz tripled in his first at-bat.