Belt slated for spring training debut, pitchers to have surgery

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Giants first baseman Brandon Belt will make his 2021 spring training debut Wednesday as a pinch-hitter, the club announced.

Belt was initially scheduled to be held out of early Cactus League action because he was recovering from an October surgery to remove a right heel spur, but his return to action was delayed after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and mononucleosis prior to the start of spring camp.

The Giants have yet to rule Belt out for Opening Day, but it’s possible he’ll open the season on the injured list for the second consecutive season as he continues to regain his strength and stamina. Manager Gabe Kapler has mentioned recently the Giants want to ensure Belt can play the field for a full nine innings and before the team would be comfortable adding him to the roster.

Belt has been a participant in live batting practices where he’s taken multiple at-bats and played some first base at Scottsdale Stadium over the last week, but Wednesday’s game against the Padres will mark his first game action.

The team also announced a pair of righthanded relievers who were candidates to make the Opening Day bullpen will undergo Tommy John surgery in the next week. The Giants already revealed Rule 5 draft pick Dedniel Núñez had been diagnosed with a right elbow sprain that would require surgery, but the team said Wednesday that Rico Garcia will also have Tommy John surgery.

Núñez’s operation is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal ElAttrache while Garcia’s will take place Saturday in San Francisco and be performed by Dr. Ken Akizuki.

Left-hander Alex Wood, who underwent an ablation for nerves in his lower back last week, will throw his second bullpen since the non-invasive procedure on Thursday. Kapler said earlier in the week that if Wood’s bullpens went as planned, he could throw a live batting practice by the weekend.

It remains unclear if Wood’s injury will require him to open the season on the injured list so the starter can build up his stamina.