Melky Cabrera won't play for the Giants again this season.  (Getty Imagaes)

The Giants reinstated Melky Cabrera on Friday, but it was nothing more than paperwork as the team will not activate the All-Star Game MVP for the National League Championship Series.

Cabrera's 50-game suspension was for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Agreement. As per the agreement, Cabrera was required to be reinstated, but the Giants did not have to put him on the roster, and Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports they will not. The team said as much before the regular season ended, despite not having a clear replacement in left field. Gregor Blanco and Xavier Nady manned the position in the NLDS victory over the Reds.

The Giants had the opportunity to designate him for assignment, but by keeping him on the 40-man roster they can keep their options open, including their exclusive bargaining window for the free-agent-to-be.

Cabrera was leading the National League with a .346 batting average before his suspension. He agreed to be ruled ineligible for the batting title last month.

The 28-year-old is a career .284/.338/.414 hitter, earning his first All-Star appearance this summer. He is eligible for free agency for the first time this winter.

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