PHOENIX — Giants catcher Curt Casali was, properly, curt when requested Tuesday how he was feeling. It was about 24 hours after Casali strained his indirect on a verify swing within the Giants’ first sport towards the Diamondbacks.
“Not good,” the 33-year-old backstop responded, grimacing.
An MRI on Tuesday revealed that Casali had suffered a Grade 2 pressure in his proper indirect. Casali stated he anticipated to overlook three to 4 weeks, however reasonable indirect strains are likely to lead to absences nearer to a month or extra.
“It’s one thing I’ve by no means had earlier than. I’ve pulled muscle tissues earlier than. I’ve pulled hamstrings earlier than. Not my indirect. It form of simply jolted me and scared the you-know-what out of me. Fortunately Kap got here on the market and took me out as a result of I in all probability would’ve tried to get on base there.”
Casali’s absence will check the Giants’ catching depth.
Supervisor Gabe Kapler admitted that it could be “a problem.”
“We received so many video games final yr with Curt behind the plate and lots this yr as properly,” Kapler stated. “We’re going to overlook him.”
Joey Bart rejoined the membership in Arizona — Kapler greeted him within the clubhouse with an enormous hug whereas telling him “welcome again” — however he wasn’t activated for Tuesday’s sport. That left the Giants with Austin Wynns and Yermín Mercedes as their solely choices behind the plate.
The expectation, although, is that Bart will start to separate duties with Wynns beginning within the subsequent couple days.
After working with Giants hitting coaches on his swing and strategy on the plate, Bart performed seven video games at Triple-A and batted .286/.355/.393 with one residence run. In 31 plate appearances, he struck out six occasions and walked twice, an enchancment upon his 45% strikeout fee throughout his first stint within the majors this season.
“I believe he was making some progress,” Kapler stated. “He was swinging and lacking a bit of bit much less. I believe it offers loads of confidence. Does it translate to the major-league stage if he’s within the lineup tomorrow? Perhaps. However not essentially. … I believe in an ideal world we'd’ve given him a bit of extra time.”
But, having an choice equivalent to Bart who has already labored extensively with the Giants’ pitching employees, is effective, versus having to groom a brand new pitch-caller on every of the employees member’s distinctive arsenals.
“I do know he’s able to catch,” Casali stated. “That’s by no means been a query. … Hopefully he feels good on the plate and might simply be snug and get in a groove and be himself. … I’ve obtained Joey’s quantity. I’ve obtained Austin’s quantity. So we’ll be in contact.”