SF Giants’ All-Star candidate LaMonte Wade Jr. scratched from starting lineup

Wade (right side tightness) has enjoyed a clean bill of health so far this season.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants scratched one of the most productive hitters in the National League Tuesday night shortly before first pitch against the Padres.

LaMonte Wade Jr., who owns MLB’s second-best on-base percentage, was removed from the starting lineup and replaced by David Villar, who batted ninth and played first base. The Giants announced that Wade was dealing with right side tightness.

Wade was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of their win Monday night.

In 68 games this season, Wade has already accrued 2.5 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball-Reference, trailing only Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt among NL first basemen. His .415 on-base percentage ranks second among all qualified hitters in the majors, behind only Luis Arraez, who is hitting .400.

His success this season, Wade has said, is due in large part to a clean bill of health. Wade injured his knee in spring training before last season and was never able to regain the form that earned him the “Late Night LaMonte” nickname in his breakout 2021 season.

All-Star voting update

While Wade has compiled a strong All-Star case, he remained well of the pace of earning a starting nod in the latest voting totals provided by MLB on Tuesday.

With 129,482 votes, Wade ranked eighth among NL first basemen. J.D. Davis remained the Giants’ top vote-getter, checking in with 443,119, good for fourth among NL third basemen. Three other Giants ranked among the top 10 at their positions: Thairo Estrada (220,337, fifth); Joc Pederson (144,262, eighth) and Brandon Crawford (136,796, 10th).

The first phase of voting ends Thursday, and only the top two vote-getters at each position advance to the final stage. Full rosters will be announced July 2.