New signing Mitch Haniger’s standing for Opening Day is unclear, after the Giants outfielder suffered a Grade 1 indirect pressure Friday, as John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reviews. Haniger suffered the damage because of a clumsy swing on Friday. He had been as a consequence of play in San Francisco’s sport in opposition to the Rockies that day, however was scratched.
Haniger, 32, was San Francisco’s greatest offseason funding this winter, signing with the workforce on a three-year, $43.5M deal. The Giants seemingly stay hopeful of Haniger that includes of their March 30 opener in opposition to the Yankees.
“I believe something is feasible at this level. We’re nonetheless determining the return-to-play timeline. Obliques are difficult. Sure, I’ve had them. Typically they really feel like they’re 100% healed, however then they’re not all the time 100% healed. I don’t have data but that Mitch gained’t be prepared for the season for us. Possibly on the identical observe, perhaps simply much less reps in spring coaching,” supervisor Gabe Kapler informed reporters.
Grade 1 strains sometimes require a four-week restoration interval, which might clearly put Haniger’s availability for Opening Day in main doubt. Nonetheless, every pressure is completely different, so there’s an opportunity he recovers sooner. Haniger wound up with a .246/.308/.429 line with 11 house runs over 247 plate appearances final season for the Mariners, and he’s set to be the Giants’ on a regular basis proper fielder this yr.
The signings of Haniger and Michael Conforto had appeared to push Joc Pederson into extra of a full-time DH position, however the left-handed hitter might see a while within the nook outfield if Haniger isn’t prepared for the beginning of the season. The opposite candidate to fill in can be Austin Slater, who at present initiatives because the workforce’s fourth outfielder. J.D. Davis has additionally seen time within the outfield, whereas the workforce has Stephen Piscotty with them as a non-roster participant this spring, however for now they’ll hope Haniger can recuperate in time to make his debut on Opening Day.
