SAN DIEGO — Simply as Joey Bart was getting going, his turnaround on the plate was derailed by an ankle harm, however the Giants are hopeful their rising rookie catcher gained’t be sidelined too lengthy.
Bart was out there in an emergency for Wednesday’s sequence finale in opposition to the Padres, supervisor Gabe Kapler stated, after an MRI revealed a sprain in his proper ankle — removed from the worst-case situation for an harm that required a number of exams to diagnose.
After Wednesday’s recreation, Kapler stated Bart was “daily” and optimistic he might keep away from a stint on the injured checklist.
Since coming back from a demotion to Triple-A, Bart has been the productive, on a regular basis catcher the Giants had been hoping he may very well be when he earned the primary opening day nod within the post-Buster Posey period.
“I feel it’s at all times going to be irritating for a participant when issues are actually trending in the suitable route to have some kind of setback,” Kapler stated earlier than Wednesday’s recreation. “However we’re hopeful that it may very well be only a few days and he can get proper again on observe.”
Bart, who declined interview requests after Tuesday’s recreation and didn’t make an look within the clubhouse whereas it was open to reporters Wednesday morning, tweaked his proper ankle throughout his at-bat in opposition to Josh Hader within the ninth inning of Monday evening’s 1-0 win, Kapler stated.
Bart acquired an X-ray, which got here again detrimental, earlier than present process an MRI on Wednesday. Within the clubhouse Tuesday evening, Bart didn't seem like carrying any kind of brace nor was he strolling with any noticeable limp.
“We’ve been attempting to determine what’s been happening with him,” Kapler stated. “We’re on the level now the place we wish to give him all of the reassurance that we will, if we will, that he’s structurally sound and never compromised in any means.”
With a .282 common and 5 of his 9 house runs coming since he rejoined the massive membership July 6, his progress gave Farhan Zaidi the boldness to commerce backup backstop Curt Casali on the deadline. For the reason that commerce, Bart had hit safely in all 5 video games he performed.
However now, with out Casali and Bart probably sidelined, the Giants’ catching depth shall be examined.
Austin Wynns made the uncommon back-to-back begin behind the plate, catching Wednesday afternoon’s sequence finale after additionally enjoying all 9 innings Tuesday evening. Utility gamers Yermín Mercedes and Ford Proctor, who can each play catcher even when it isn’t their major place, each arrived within the Giants’ clubhouse Wednesday morning on taxi-squad responsibility in case there was a roster transfer.
If Bart does require a stint on the injured checklist, the likeliest situation would carry Andrew Knapp up from Triple-A Sacramento.
The Giants picked up Knapp from Seattle after he was waived by the Mariners, whereas additionally they lately acquired Proctor from Tampa Bay shortly earlier than the commerce deadline. Each have been amongst Triple-A Sacramento’s most efficient hitters since being acquired.
“If Joey had been to hit the IL, it’d be extra possible that we might carry a man who might catch often for us and break up time with Wynns,” Kapler stated. “Yermin Mercedes shouldn't be fairly catching depth but, however we’re hopeful that he shall be. Proctor offers us one other dynamic man who can play a number of positions however may catch.”