PHOENIX — The Giants will likely be with out their beginning third baseman for a minimum of Opening Day and probably properly past, with Evan Longoria set to bear surgical procedure on his proper index finger Monday, the membership stated.
Longoria, who hasn’t appeared in a sport this spring, will journey to Los Angeles in order that Dr. Steven Shin can restore a ligament within the finger, the identical one which was hit by a pitch late final season. Though he has not performed this spring, Longoria has been doing baseball actions and was scheduled to take stay batting observe and stay fielding drills at third base Monday morning.
Longoria’s finger will likely be “immobilized” for a minimum of 10 days following the process, the staff stated, successfully ruling him out for Opening Day, and leaving the Giants with a gaping gap in a lineup already lacking its two different prime right-handed bats from final season.
At 35 years outdated final season, Longoria was revitalized offensively, batting .261/.351/.482 — his finest on-base-plus-slugging share in 5 seasons — however solely performed 81 video games. On June 5, he collided with Brandon Crawford on a pop-up, knocking him out for 59 video games; and on Aug. 18, he took an Edwin Diaz heater off his proper hand, inflicting him to overlook one other 14 video games.
Crawford, 35, will likely be one participant requested to shoulder the load after his personal offensive renaissance final yr, although no person on the roster can step into Longoria’s footwear from the suitable facet of the plate. Buster Posey is gone to retirement; Kris Bryant misplaced to free company.
Do-it-all infielder Wilmer Flores has been taking floor balls at third base this spring and figures to reap probably the most taking part in time there within the meantime. Flores hit .262/.335/.447 in 436 plate appearances final season. And whereas defensive metrics say third base is his weakest place of the three he performed final yr, he didn’t price a lot worse at third final season than Longoria, a three-time Glove Glove winner.
Different inside choices who may gain advantage from the additional spot on the finish of the roster and the brand new want for an infielder embody Jason Vosler (.295/.385/.529 at Triple-A final season however solely .178/.256/.356 within the bigs), Alex Blandino (having fun with a pleasant spring as a non-roster invitee, batting 6-for-13 with a HR and 2B up to now) and Thairo Estrada (recognized by identify by Farhan Zaidi as a younger participant they need to give extra alternatives). The Giants additionally on Sunday traded for utilityman Luke Williams, who performed each place however pitcher and catcher final yr however instructed reporters as we speak his most snug spot is third base.