Nuñez still favoring leg
DETROIT — The Giants were far too optimistic about third baseman Eduardo Nuñez’s return.
Nuñez was supposed to play two rehab games for Double-A Richmond, Va., over the weekend and be activated Tuesday, assuming all went well. It did not. Nuñez played five innings Saturday and reported his left hamstring still did not feel right. So he did not play Sunday.
Nuñez might not play until the second-half opener in San Diego on July 14. He will continue treatment during the three games in Detroit and hit on the field, but he will limit running.
If he is not ready for the opener of this weekend’s series against the Marlins at AT&T Park on Friday night, the Giants might take advantage of the four-day All-Star break to make doubly sure his hamstring is strong.
“I don’t want to go backwards,” Nuñez said.
This injury has implications beyond the win-loss record. Nuñez is a potential free agent, and he’s a trade chip. Even if he is able to play immediately after the break, his potential value would be stunted.
Ryder Jones, who was hit on the right hand by a 100mph pitch by Pittsburgh’s Felipe Rivero on Saturday, was available to pinch-hit Tuesday. Otherwise, with Buster Posey and Nick Hundley both playing as the designated hitter and catcher, manager Bruce Bochy had two healthy players on his bench, Kelby Tomlinson and Gorkys Hernandez. Neither got into the game. Powerball: The Giants have little chance to catch up to the rest of the majors in what could be a record-setting year for home runs. They have hit 72, the fewest in the majors by a wide margin.
They are getting better, though. The Giants have hit six in the first four games of the trip, at least one in each game. Brandon Belt has two, and Denard Span, Austin Slater, Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford have one each.
Crawford’s two-run homer in the seventh inning Tuesday was a good sign for a player in a season-long slump. He ended the game hitting .229.
“Any hit right now is a momentum-builder for me,” Crawford said. Briefly: Bochy plans to DH Posey again Wednesday to ensure he is rested enough to play every game before the break. … Double-A pitcher Tyler Herb, acquired from the Mariners on Monday, essentially is the player to be named in the Chris Heston deal. The teams had to execute a second trade because they did not complete the first within six months.