The Giants introduced a slew of harm updates Monday, revealing that shortstop Brandon Crawford shall be shut down from all baseball exercise for the subsequent week attributable to discomfort in his left knee. The crew added that lefty Thomas Szapucki is in search of a second opinion on a left upper-arm harm and that third baseman David Villar has been identified with a gentle pressure in his left hip flexor. Two-way participant Ronald Guzman is slated for an MRI after experiencing left forearm discomfort Sunday, and outfielder Luis Gonzalez is getting a second opinion from a backbone specialist attributable to ongoing discomfort in his again.
Crawford, 36, is coming off his worst exhibiting on the plate because the 2019 season, batting simply .231/.308/.344 final season (87 wRC+). That very same left knee twice despatched Crawford to the injured checklist final summer season, costing him a couple of month general. He was restricted to 118 video games and 458 plate appearances on the yr. The Giants haven’t indicated whether or not Crawford may be sidelined to start the 2023 season. If he’s capable of return to baseball exercise subsequent Monday, he’d have 10 days to construct up upfront of the Giants’ season opener on March 30.
Within the occasion that Crawford does must miss a while, Thairo Estrada may transfer over from second base to cowl the shortstop place within the quick time period. Estrada, who hit .260/.322/.400 in 541 plate appearances in 2022, spent 286 innings at shortstop final season — second-most on the crew behind Crawford. Donovan Walton may be another choice have been he wholesome, however he’s anticipated to be out till no less than Could as he continues recovering from final September’s shoulder surgical procedure.
Villar, the Giants say, shall be re-evaluated every day, so it’s potential he’s solely a short-term absence. He entered camp as the favourite to win the Giants’ third base job this spring after hitting .231/.331/.455 by way of 181 plate appearances as a rookie in 2022, although he’s simply 1-for-14 thus far in Cactus League play. If Villar’s hip harm proves to be sufficient to maintain him out, the Giants have veterans J.D. Davis and Wilmer Flores as choices on the scorching nook. Flores may additionally think about at second base within the occasion that Estrada slides over to shortstop to cowl for Crawford.
As for the opposite accidents, extra info shall be out there following extra testing. Szapucki was initially stated by supervisor Gabe Kapler to be coping with elbow discomfort, however the Giants’ launch Monday as an alternative specified an “higher arm” harm. The previous Mets southpaw, acquired alongside Davis within the deal sending Darin Ruf to Queens, tossed 13 2/3 innings of 1.98 ERA ball with the Giants following that commerce and labored to a 3.11 ERA in 72 1/3 Triple-A frames between the 2 organizations final season. The Giants are six- or seven-deep in huge league starters — Logan Webb, Alex Wooden, Alex Cobb, Anthony DeSclafani, Sean Manaea, Ross Stripling, Jakob Junis — however Szapucki represents depth each for the rotation and the bullpen.
It was already recognized that Gonzalez’s again harm would trigger him to overlook the start the season. As for Guzman, the previous Rangers first base prospect has been hoping to show himself a viable presence on the mound, however he’s been tagged for 3 runs in 3 1/3 innings this spring and is now heading for imaging after the ominous criticism of forearm discomfort.
