Giants add much-needed bat in Marlon Byrd

PITTSBURGH -- Some much-needed outfield help is on the way for the San Francisco Giants.

Marlon Byrd is expected to join the team for Friday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after being acquired Thursday night from the Cincinnati Reds in trade for minor league reliever Stephen Johnson.

The Giants are without center fielder Angel Pagan (patellar tendinitis in right knee) and right fielder Hunter Pence (strained left oblique), who was placed on the disabled list Thursday after missing the previous two games.

"I'm excited," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "Marlon is a real pro who knows how to play the game and, most importantly, gives us a much-needed bat. He's going to be a good addition for us. I talked to him and he's very excited to be coming here."

Though the Giants activated left fielder Nori Aoki from the seven-day concussion disabled list Thursday, they had been looking for outfield help since Pagan went on the DL on Aug. 10.

Aoki went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base but the Giants were shut out 4-0 by the Pirates on Thursday, dropping 2 1/2 games behind the idle Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

The Giants and Reds had even discussed a potential deal for Byrd before the non-waiver trading deadline July 31. Byrd cleared waivers earlier this month, leaving the Reds free to trade him to any team.

"We were looking at a number of options but the injury to (Pence) sped up the process," Giants general manager Bobby Evans said. "We're happy to have Marlon said. He's a professional hitter and a good athlete."

Byrd will play right field initially, though, the Giants are open to moving the 37-year-old to left field if he is unable to cover the expansive right field at AT&T Park.

Byrd hit .237 with 19 home runs and 42 RBIs in 96 games with the Reds.

In his 14th season, Byrd is a .275 career hitter with 150 home runs. The Giants will become his 10th team, including his seventh since 2012.

"I think Marlon's going to help," Giants right-hander Jake Peavy said. "He's got some experience and he's played in pennant races. We're excited. I think he can certainly help at a time we're banged up."