SF trades for Keppinger, promotes Belt

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants altered the look of their roster Tuesday by recalling outfielder-first baseman Brandon Belt and acquiring infielder Jeff Keppinger from the Houston Astros.

Belt, the Giants’ Opening Day first baseman, has been recovering his stroke with Triple-A Fresno since going on the disabled list June 4 with a hairline fracture in his left wrist. Manager Bruce Bochy has said that Belt, considered San Francisco’s top position-player prospect, wouldn’t be brought to the Majors until a vacancy in the lineup was created to enable him to play regularly.

Belt was hitting .324 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs and a 1.011 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in 43 games for Triple-A Fresno.

Keppinger, 31, was obtained for Minor League right-handers Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel. In 43 games with Houston, Keppinger hit .307 with four home runs and 20 RBIs. He’s a career .284 hitter in 530 games with the Mets, Royals and Reds besides the Astros.

– Chris Haft