Giants infielder Tommy La Stella’s minor league rehab assignment has been delayed due to a new injury, as MLB.com’s Maria I. Guardado (Twitter link) was among to report that La Stella suffered a small fracture in his throwing hand. La Stella jammed his thumb while taking grounders, resulting in the fracture, and he will now be shut down for two weeks before restarting baseball activities.
This setback will extend what has already been a lengthy absence for La Stella, who went on the 10-day injured list (and was eventually moved to the 60-day IL) due to a left hamstring strain back on May 4. This IL stint was nearing an end, as he had just started his rehab games before suffering his thumb injury. La Stella’s earliest possible return date now looks to be July 16, the Giants’ first game after the All-Star break, though even that date is likely tentative given the sometimes tricky nature of hand-related injuries.
The Giants made a notable investment in La Stella during the offseason, inking the veteran to a three-year, $18.75MM deal that stands as the club’s priciest free agent contract since Farhan Zaidi became president of baseball operations. While many of Zaidi’s other moves have worked out extremely well for the first-place Giants, La Stella has yet to get out of the blocks this season, as he was hitting only .235/.297/.353 over his first 75 plate appearances.
That small sample size aside, however, the 32-year-old La Stella has been an above-average hitter for much of his career, and he’ll represent a boost to San Francisco’s depth when he is able to get back onto the field. La Stella had played only second and third base for the Giants prior to his injury, though with Brandon Belt facing a potentially lengthy IL absence, La Stella might eventually be worked into the first base mix.
Hate much? BS post
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Where is the hate in this post? I see mostly statements of fact, along with an accurate comment that LaStella’s triple-slash numbers so far this season aren’t great.
Looks like there was a deleted comment they are referring to, not the article.
Ah, thanks, bb2080.
Would love to see La Stella get back on the field for the Giants, not that they seem to be missing him much. But he would make the Giants an even stronger team. He’s just a good all-around ball player.
He is.
I wanted the Yanks to sign him or Wong & another pitcher like Walker than DJ. High OBP lefty power bat that plays all over the diamond. He’ll definitely make the baseball Giants a better squad.
Most overrated team in the game.
They’re the best team in baseball by 2.5 games a week before July
You can say some guys have played over their expected play, sure. But it’s real hard to call them overrated anymore
weep
Kewl, ratings are opinions. Stats are facts. If you think they’re overated, check the stats. Top 3 in ALL of MLB in: fielding, Homer’s, OPS, shutouts thrown, pitches seen by batters, pitches thrown (lowest 3 team), and I’m missing a few. Oh, and I forgot to add……you’re an idiot.
Just sitting here, waiting for someone to say that they’ve “always hated the injury prone lastella” and that the giants are “overrated cause they don’t have any starsssss”
LaMont is my fav Giant
Tommy La, I always like to see you play, but you got to get back on the field dude. Tough break (literally)
From an offensive standpoint the Giants have a lot of Tommy LaStella types
a lot of fractures today
Getting any figured jammed hurts. I’ve had my thumb jammed from getting hit with a medicine ball.
Did your thumb get jammed when you went to type “finger” and “figured” came out?
Did you hurt it chasing the chicken while preparing for the 99’ rumble?
If Joe Panik had progressed as hoped, there wouldn’ have been a need to sign LaStella.
Likewise Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson and Gary Brown among a hoard of other outfielders who flopped, leaving the Giants to Dumpster Dive and hope for turnarounds.
Good analysis. If bad players never turned out to be bad, they would be good players instead of bad players.
lol
LaStella better as a role player. Has not had prolonged success as a starter. Great pinch hitter and part time second baseman that can also man the infield corners. To sign him as an everyday player was a mistake. He’s more of a super utility player. I don’t believe he’s ever had a 500 plate appearance season. He’s already past 30. As an everyday starter his at bats are not as good. He’s had problems keeping his head screwed on tight too. Say what you want I’ve watched him as a Cub for years.
My thoughts exactly. Sign a role player to a multi-year deal? Not sure what the Giants were thinking.
Yeah I agree, they should’ve consulted you first of course!
I mean, a 3 year deal that pays $6M a year is hardly breaking the bank. The giants are a large market team; it’s absolutely a risk worth taking.
Are there more arm and leg fractures this year?
Jonathan Scope ton the rescue?
Adam Frazier
there is plenty of depth, there really isn’t a need to pick anyone up unless something worse happens – vosler is still in AAA and has done a good job filling in, more than anything this kind of temporarily solves the upcoming roster crunch and gives time before having to try to sneak someone past waivers or trade them
Everyone is breaking bones today. Hope Pat the Bat is safe tonight at the Club