The Giants activated right-hander Logan Webb from the 10-day injured list to start tonight’s game against the Nationals. In a corresponding move, Buster Posey was placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to July 6, with a left thumb contusion.
Posey hasn’t played since leaving last Sunday’s game early after being struck by a foul tip. It doesn’t seem there’s huge cause for concern, as the star backstop told reporters (including Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area and Andrew Baggarly of the Athletic) he’s hopeful he’ll return when first eligible next Friday. That’d be the Giants first game coming out of the All-Star Break, and it doesn’t seem there was any chance of Posey playing during this weekend’s series with Washington. The former MVP told reporters he’s currently unable to catch or swing the bat. Of course, that’ll also rule Posey out from participating in the All-Star Game, which he’d been slated to start as the National League’s representative at catcher.
In better health news for the Giants, infielder Tommy La Stella is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment, manager Gabe Kapler told reporters (including Pavlovic). A significant hamstring strain sent La Stella to the injured list on May 4. He began a rehab assignment in late June but suffered a fracture in his right hand that halted his recovery. It’s been a disappointing season for La Stella, who has hit .235/.297/.353 over his first 75 plate appearances.
He’ll be joined on the rehab assignment by right-hander Aaron Sanchez (relayed by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle). Like La Stella, Sanchez went on the IL in early May, began a rehab assignment last month, and then had to be shut down because of an unrelated setback. Sanchez’s initial injury was biceps inflammation, but his comeback was delayed by a blister. He’s apparently ready to return to game action, as he’ll start for Low-A San Jose tomorrow night.
Getting Webb and Sanchez back should help fortify a starting rotation that has been one of the league’s best. Nevertheless, San Francisco president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi suggested the club could be in the market for external rotation help before the July 30 trade deadline (via Maria Guardado of MLB.com). With Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood, Johnny Cueto and Webb all having decent to stellar seasons, there seems to be little room on the surface for another starter, especially with Sanchez nearing a return.
That’s a group that (aside from Gausman) has traditionally had issues staying healthy, though, so it’s plenty sensible for the San Francisco front office to look to add some depth. At 54-32, the Giants are up a game on the Dodgers and four games up on the Padres in a tightly-contested NL West. There’s plenty of logic in safeguarding against potential injuries for the stretch run.
There’s also the matter of the Giants longer-term outlook to consider. Of their current starters, only Webb is a lock to be back in 2022. Gausman, DeSclafani and Wood are all slated to hit free agency, while Cueto’s $22MM club option is likely to be bought out for $5MM. Zaidi downplayed the importance of adding a multi-year player — instead suggesting the bigger priority is simply stockpiling depth for the second half of 2021 — but the front office figures to at least explore acquisitions of potential starters who could solidify the rotation beyond this season as well.
I wonder who’ll replace this many people in the ASG?
Lot’s of players got snubbed this year, only so many spots to go around, it’ll be easy to find replacements though, tons of deserving players.
Kris Bryant to the Giants? Can play multiple positions, Zaidi likes players like him?
Based on commenter speculation, Kris Bryant will be traded to every team and no team.
Would be shocked to see the Giants buying a rental at the deadline. Zaidi’s a smart guy, he knows the difference between a contender and a pretender. He will stick to his plan.
Are you suggesting the Giants are a pretender? Serious inquiry.
The Giants. LOL
Padres lol ! Third place and one and done looks good for them !
Your pitchers are already breaking down again chump. Darvish doing his Choke act again.
I’ve been gone a while… this dork with multiple accounts who upvotes his own posts is still trolling here? I assumed he would leave once the Giants had, you know, the best record in baseball. His parents must be proud.
The Giants are obviously for real. Despite all these injuries and Cueto pitching so poorly, they are the best team in baseball.
I for sure see Kris Bryant being the off season target. He’ll be able to play OF till longo leaves. I don’t think they’ll go after any of the SS.
Molina for Posey and Waino for Darvish.
Cue the competitive balance picks haters. lol
Yea no. Posey is playing better this season by quite a bit
Narvaez in for Buster
Im just gonna get this out of the way. Everyone, brace yourselves for another dumb comment by A’sfaninUK on this post. You have been warned.
No worries, I muted her a long time ago.
You know I keep forgetting we have this feature now. Though I feel responsible, as a fellow A’s fan, to ensure that everyone knows, and that he knows, he doesnt speak for all or any A’s fans. Lol
If it’s not @A’sfaninUK, it will be @TonyGywnnSD19, trolling in with his tired “lol Giants” schtick. I have noticed though that @TonyGywnn has been showing up less and less. Maybe the possibility that the Padres could finish 3rd in the NL West is curbing his enthusiasm..
Jose Berrios come on down!
Webb is off the mound already in the 4th. Wasn’t watching but paying attention to the app. What happened?
Limited pitch count, only had one rehab start.
@Balk He balled out though. His stuff was nasty.
If you could get rid of one pesky injury for baseball players what would it be? Talking thinks like pulled hamstring, blisters, cramp, bone bruise, etc.
TJS
That was an easy one, set TJS aside what would be next?
If the Giants trade don’t give up any top 10 prospects. Great win tonight! Keep it up. The city connect uni’s look alright.
If you’re serious, you’re the only one who likes them.