SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Outfielder Mitch Haniger, one of many San Francisco Giants’ marquee free-agent additions, underwent an MRI on Friday night time that exposed a Grade 1 pressure in his left indirect, placing his standing for Opening Day in query.
Haniger, 32, shall be shut down for the subsequent 5-7 days, the Giants stated, and shall be re-evaluated after that. But, with the beginning of the season lower than three weeks away, Haniger and supervisor Gabe Kapler expressed optimism that the damage wouldn’t impression his availability.
“My aim is to be again as quick as attainable,” Haniger stated Saturday morning. “I really feel assured that I’ll be again earlier than Opening Day. However on the similar time, I’ve acquired to take heed to my physique and take heed to the trainers and do it proper so it doesn’t come again.”
The indirect has been a lingering situation this spring for Haniger, who hadn’t appeared in a recreation since March 4. The pressure didn’t happen on a single swing, Haniger stated, however the muscle had been constantly tight for a lot of spring.
On Friday, he was penciled in to bat second and play proper discipline however was scratched a pair hours earlier than first pitch towards the Rockies.
“It wasn’t bugging me in any respect within the video games,” Haniger stated. “I’d hit within the cage. I’d really feel tight. I’d go work with the trainers. I’d really feel instant reduction. Then I’d go play within the video games and felt nice within the video games. … Greatest to only get it taken care of now so I can get wholesome and assist this crew win video games.”
A Grade 1 pressure represents the least extreme selection, whereas extra severe Grade 2 and three strains can sideline gamers for six weeks or extra.
Haniger beforehand missed two months in 2017 with a strained proper indirect. However this one, he stated, feels “means much less extreme.” Previously, it damage to roll off the bed or get right into a automotive, he stated. In his day-to-day at present, “I really feel actually good,” he stated.
“Clearly if I attempt to swing in the present day, I’ll in all probability really feel it,” Haniger stated. “However I’m fairly optimistic for having a pressure. … I used to be sort of shocked there was even a pressure.”
In 4 video games this spring, Haniger is 3-for-10 (.300) with two doubles. He signed a three-year, $43.5 million free-agent contract this offseason, the most important of the six offers awarded by president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, with the expectation that he'll present an on a regular basis presence in one of many outfield corners and in the course of the Giants’ batting order.
Haniger was restricted to 57 video games in 2022 due to a high-ankle sprain, and in seven big-league seasons, he has performed greater than 100 video games solely twice whereas coping with quite a lot of illnesses, most of which Zaidi attributed as “fluky” after signing him.
Nonetheless, the Giants at the moment are down two right-handed-hitting outfielders from their projected Opening Day roster.
Austin Slater (elbow) has but to look in a Cactus League recreation however resumed throwing this week.
“My inclination is that Slates is trending in a path the place he’s going to be prepared for us for the season,” Kapler stated. “I don’t suppose something that’s occurred up to now modifications our early season recreation planning.”
Notable
— Previous to Saturday’s recreation towards the Dodgers, third baseman David Villar was scratched from the Giants lineup. He was coping with tightness in his left hip, the membership stated, and was changed within the lineup by Ford Proctor.
— Starter Alex Cobb exited early after taking a hard-hit line drive from Miguel Vargas off his decrease left leg within the high of the fourth inning. Cobb instantly fell to the bottom and commenced writhing in ache however walked off beneath his personal energy after being checked on by Kapler and the Giants’ medical employees. He had struck out 5 and allowed one run on two hits earlier than leaving the sport.
Scary second in Scottsdale, as Alex Cobb took a hard-hit comebacker off what seems to be his left knee. He walked off beneath his personal energy.
📹 Right here is the play: pic.twitter.com/umWTGtw9I1
— Evan Webeck (@EvanWebeck) March 11, 2023