Crawford lands on injured list for only third time in career
For only the third time in his 12-year major-league career, Brandon Crawford is headed to the injured list.
His slide into home plate Tuesday in Atlanta, which bruised his left knee, was the latest in a series of ailments that has left the Giants' shortstop banged up for the majority of the season. After attempting to play through pain Friday against the Reds, it also proved to be the final straw to convince Crawford and the Giants their best move would be a little time off.
“He hasn't been the healthiest version of himself all year,” said manager Gabe Kapler, who consulted with Crawford and decided the 10-day IL offered them the best chance at rediscovering his production from a year ago.
The Giants placed Crawford (left knee inflammation) on the 10-day injured list before their series finale Sunday against Cincinnati, recalling recently acquired first baseman/outfielder Yermín Mercedes to take his place on the active roster. In 11 previous MLB seasons, Crawford had required only two IL stints (right groin strain in 2017; left oblique strain in 2021) and has never missed more than 24 games in a season.
“Sometimes a stretch of seven days without having to grind through the rigors of a game can be really big for a player,” Kapler said. “This is an opportunity to get a player who hasn't really been healthy for the majority of the season.”
Because of the Giants' upcoming schedule, with days off today and Thursday, Crawford could potentially only miss eight games. He'll be eligible to rejoin the club July 4.
After a resurgent 2021, Crawford entered this season with renewed expectations at the plate. He has not only failed to live up to those levels of production, but is on pace for his worst offensive season since 2013. His .663 OPS through 63 games this season is below his career average (.725) and more than 200 points lower than his .895 mark last year.
Crawford's defense has also taken a hit, having already committed more errors this season (10) than he did all last year (nine), despite playing fewer than half the innings at shortstop. Crawford's 15 Outs Above Average last season ranked fifth among all shortstops in the majors, according to FanGraphs, but he ranks 18th this season, with minus-4.
The Giants claimed Mercedes off waivers from the White Sox earlier this month and while the length of his stay with the major league club is still to be determined, for now, he provides a powerful right-handed bat off the bench.
Mercedes, made MLB history by recording hits in his first eight at-bats to start last season on his way to being named the Rookie of the Month for April (while batting .415/.455/.659 with five home runs). But he followed that by batting only .196/.264/.272 over the next two months and hasn't been given another chance in the majors since.