Two injuries to the San Francisco Giants infield has manager Gabe Kapler looking for options after his club lost to the Phillies 6-5 on Wednesday.
Shortstop Brandon Crawford had tightness in his side, and second baseman Donovan Solano strained his calf muscle during the loss. Each player exited the game early.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Solano is a candidate for the injured list. She quoted Kapler as saying Solano will “miss some time.”
So where will Kapler turn? Here’s what Slusser had to say about the situation.
The Giants might be able to handle a day or two without their everyday shortstop, because Mauricio Dubón can play there, but he and Crawford are the only shortstops on the big-league roster.
That makes it likely that the team will add an infielder from the alternate site who can play shortstop, such as Thairo Estrada, who has played in the majors with the Yankees. The Giants acquired Estrada, 25, from New York for cash considerations April 11.
Susan Slusser/San Francisco Chronicle
She also noted that current Giants Mauricio Dubón, Tommy La Stella and Wilmer Flores can assist with infield duties in Solano’s absence.
In Slusser’s report, Kapler said the loss of Solano will sting, since the loss will “lighten” the bench, which Kapler says has been a major strength of the Giants’ surprising early-season success.
At 11-7, the Giants next face a four-game series against the Marlins in San Francisco, starting on Thursday. San Francisco lost two of three to Miami last weekend, and with these injuries to deal with, the rematch should be a telling test for Kapler’s bunch.
Do they have the players to sustain their win rate for 162 games? That’s a question that will certainly be answered as challenges, such as injuries, undoubtedly pile up over the long MLB season.
UPDATE: The Giants opted to place Solano on the 10-day injured list and call up right-handed pitcher Gregory Santos, per Slusser.
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
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