Ford placed on DL after breaking wrist in collision

Ford (right) with Hinshaw, Apr. 12, 2011. (Photo by Dave Nelson)

According to a tweet from Ellen Ward, media relations specialist with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, outfielder Darren Ford has been placed on the 7-day disabled list after breaking his wrist in a collision with teammate Tyler Graham on Sunday.

The collision occurred in the first inning of Fresno’s 10-9 loss to the Tuscon Padres. Ford was taken out of the game an inning later.

Michael Mergenthaler, who was selected in the 32nd round of the First Year Player Draft a couple of weeks ago, was promoted to Triple-A Fresno all the way from the Arizona Summer League (Rookie), where he had just 12 at bats (3-for-12, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 SO).

It’s the second injury this month for the speedy Ford, who spent a month on the Giants’ disabled list with a sprained left ankle. Ford was reinstated from the Giants’ 15-day DL last week and immediately optioned back to Fresno.

In 18 games this year with the Grizzlies, Ford is batting .211/.263/.324 with 10 stolen bases and 10 runs scored. He batted .300/.417/.300 with five stolen bases and six runs scored in the 17 games he appeared in with San Francisco.

Ford isn’t the only speedy player in the Giants’ farm system.

Graham currently has a PCL-best 39 stolen bases and is just four shy of breaking the Grizzlies’ team record of 42 steals, set by Calvin Murray in 1999.

2010 first round draft pick Gary Brown has 33 steals for Class-A (Advanced) San Jose and second baseman Carlos Willoughby has swiped 25 bags for Class-A (Low) Augusta.