Giants reinstate 3B Matt Chapman from paternity list

The San Francisco Giants activated standout third baseman Matt Chapman from the paternity list prior to Saturday’s road game against the Kansas City Royals.

Chapman is batting fourth and playing third base in the middle contest of the three-game series.

Chapman left the team for the birth of his daughter.

Chapman missed the past four games — a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles and Friday’s series opener against the Royals. San Francisco didn’t formally place Chapman on the paternity list until Wednesday despite him reportedly leaving the team prior to Tuesday’s game in Baltimore.

Earlier this month, Chapman signed a six-year, $151 million extension with the Giants.

The four-time Gold Glover is batting .247 with 24 homers and 73 RBIs in 146 games in his first season with San Francisco. He spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays after beginning his big-league career with five seasons with the Oakland Athletics.

The Giants optioned shortstop Marco Luciano to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. He is batting .211 with three RBIs in 27 games with San Francisco.