Giants place catcher on DL
Buster Posey looked fine, sounded fine and joked about his new walk-up song that he might change considering what transpired after its Monday debut.
A day after he was beaned by a 94 mph fastball, Posey was diagnosed with concussion symptoms and placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list.
He’s eligible to be activated Tuesday when the Giants open a series in Kansas City, but no timetable for a return has been set.
“I don’t anticipate it being a long time,” Posey said. “That’s based on how I feel. Obviously, we’ve seen some guys having lingering effects. Again, overall, I feel pretty good.”
Giants general manager Bobby Evans said Posey, who was able to drive home Monday, said Tuesday’s concussion protocol showed symptoms generally linked to concus-
sions, which can be expected a day later.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Posey was “a little foggy.”
The DL stint was anticipated especially because Posey is a catcher and susceptible to foul tips to his mask.
“There’s been some lingering stuff,” confirmed Posey, who didn’t give details. “Overall, I feel good. I think we thought it was the smart move, especially being a catcher and having the one yesterday, and you never know if you’ll get some more.”
Without Posey, the Giants will lean on backup Nick Hundley, who signed in the offseason for $2 million. The new backup is Tim Federowicz, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Sacramento.
If Posey is able to return after seven days, the Giants would have the opportunity to use him as a designated hitter during their two-game series in Kansas City, where American League rules apply.
Given their history with concussions, however, the Giants plan to be cautious. Second baseman Joe Panik was beaned last summer and continued to play, but ultimately was diagnosed with a concussion that detoured his season.
First baseman Brandon Belt has dealt with concussions, and concussions shortened the career of ex-Giants catcher Mike Matheny.
“I don’t take it lightly when you’re talking about your head,” said Posey, citing laterin-life effects of concussions for many athletes. “It’s bigger than baseball.
“It’s the hardest part of the body to evaluate, somebody’s head. So it’s good to have some caution.”
On the second pitch of his lone plate appearance in the home opener, Posey was drilled on the side of his helmet by Arizona starter Taijuan Walker and fell to the dirt. Posey sat up for a moment and opened and closed his mouth to take inventory. He was pulled from the game and walked off the field.
“I never thought he was trying to hit me,” Posey said of Walker. “It was a bad miss, but I never thought he was trying to hit me.”
Posey seemed in good spirits during an interview before Tuesday night’s game. He questioned his new walk-up song by Florida Georgia Line, which replaced “Hell on Wheels” by Brantley Gilbert.
“I might need to change it,” he said, smiling.