Giants second baseman Donovan Solano exited their game against the Phillies on Wednesday with a right calf strain, manager Gabe Kapler announced (Twitter links via Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle). Kapler admitted that the injury could lead to an IL stint for Solano, who’s off to a .300/.333/.380 start in 54 plate appearances this year. Should he land on the shelf, Tommy La Stella, Mauricio Dubon and Wilmer Flores would be candidates to fill in at the keystone. Brandon Crawford was also removed from this afternoon’s game early, but it seems his issue isn’t as severe. The longtime San Francisco shortstop felt some tightness in his side and was pulled for precautionary reasons, Kapler said (via Andrew Baggarly of the Athletic).
More from the West divisions:
- Anthony Rendon is “getting really, really close” to returning to the Angels, manager Joe Maddon told reporters (including Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times). The star third baseman landed on the injured list April 12 due to a left groin strain. There’s still no specific date for Rendon’s anticipated return, but it doesn’t seem they’ll be without him too much longer. Because of a trio of postponements, the Angels have only played seven games without Rendon so far, going 3-4 while relying on José Rojas, Jack Mayfield and Luis Rengifo at the hot corner.
- The Athletics could activate right-hander Mike Fiers from the IL in the coming days, according to Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle. The A’s have gone the first few weeks of the season without Fiers after he suffered a lumbar strain that was initially diagnosed as hip inflammation. Fiers, 35, had a rough 2020 – 4.58 ERA/5.41 SIERA in 59 innings – but the A’s still brought him back on a one-year, $3.5MM guarantee in free agency. He figures to slot back into the A’s rotation when he returns, though it’s unclear whom Fiers will replace if the team sticks with a five-man starting staff.
- Astros shortstop prospect Jeremy Pena will undergo surgery on his left wrist, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. The Astros announced that Pena will require “approximately five months” to recover, meaning his minor league season is likely over before it even began. Pena hadn’t played above High-A ball coming into this year, but Rome notes that he was expected to start this season at the Triple-A level. The 23-year-old, who is regarded as one of the Astros’ best prospects, combined for a terrific .303/.385/.440 slash with seven home runs and 20 steals across 473 plate appearances between High-A and Low-A in 2019.
Can’t wait for the article this weekend about how Rendon is “really, really, really close.” And then next week when he is “super, duper close.”
And finally, “So close your toes could curl!”
Well the Angels have gotten very little production out the 3 guys they have playing at 3rd.
Thank goodness the Angels signed Rendon instead of Strasbourg
Solano is the only guy in the Giants lineup right now, other than maybe La Stella, who doesn’t seem to be playing 3 true outcome baseball. Gonna definitely miss that contact oriented presence in the middle of the lineup.
Solano is a gamer, I like watching that guy play. He’s kind of a throw back player in the sense that he puts the ball in play a lot of times and doesn’t strike out too much. It’s kind of refreshing to watch in an era where 25% K rate is normal.
Isn’t Flores the one that cried and had to be taken out of a game years ago when the Mets were going to trade him to the Brewers? Then the Brewers pulled out of the trade.
Mets fans crying tonight. Terrible performance. That defense is yet again a major weakness. So many guys playing out of position. I’m embarrassed for Alderson. How do you allow this to happen?
Alderson has said they know the defense will be bad but they weren’t all that concerned with it. Unfortunately they seemed to believe they would be scoring in bunches every night which hasn’t happened as they are last in MLB in runs scored
Sandy is a veteran baseball man. He’s got to know the effect poor defense has on a pitcher in terms of wear-and-tear and mentally. It’s not just the errors. They give a team so many extra outs by not getting to balls that should be outs. It also places added pressure on the offensive. Fans see this. Why can’t he? The way to get better is to eliminate or improve weaknesses. Defensively, they look the same.
Come on Rendon, get back in there! The lineup is hella good with him in there. The Ohtani, Trout, Rendon, Walsh gauntlet, is as good as it gets in baseball when all together.
Well, he’s getting really really close to playing again…
He’s definitely close.
Betts, Seager, Turner, Bellinger…with Smith and Muncy to follow.
I know this is going to sound crazy, but you have to watch a game to fully comprehend. It’s new this year. You can feel the tension every time the lineup turns over.
Good to see Tony coming back…makes Trout get even more looks at strikes. Which is scary to think. I am excited to see this line up in a month or so…go Halos!
Mike Fiers is a martyr. Bless that man.
Bless his pine tar aided no-hitter
A’s won all those games and there starting pitching is been pretty close to terrible. 27th in era
Angels won’t ever be competitive until they get a #1 and #2 SP. Maybe at the deadline they make some moves. But this still looks like the biggest waste of talent (Trout) in MLB history next to maybe only Ted Williams.