Samardzija gets plasma injection in his shoulder
Last year at this time, Jeff Samardzija figured prominently in trade rumors because the Giants were terrible, and players on terrible teams often are dealt.
This year, Samardzija’s name popped up because the Giants have not hidden their desire to move money if they want to fill other needs and remain under the luxury-tax threshold.
And, like last year, the Shark is not going anywhere in July. His third trip to the disabled list this year assured that. The only questions now are when he will pitch for the Giants again and how he can prevent another relapse of the shoulder pain and stiffness that keep suppressing his velocity, keeping him off the mound.
Manager Bruce Bochy revealed Friday that
Samardzija had a platelet-rich plasma injection Monday. While Samardzija is technically in the running to pitch as hoped in Seattle on Wednesday, Bochy suggested that would be a reach, even if a bullpen session Sunday goes well.
Derek Holland could pitch instead. If he is needed in relief before then, the Giants could promote Chris Stratton, who started for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday night and would be on turn.
Behind some of this year’s trade talk was the notion that Holland, plus rookies Dereck Rodriguez and Andrew Suarez, have given the Giants enough rotation depth to make Samardzija expendable.
That depth also allows the Giants to tread more cautiously with Samardzija, who remains a significant investment.
He has $46 million left on a five-year deal that runs through 2020 and has produced just 22 wins in 74 starts (although he was a significant contributor to the 2016 playoff push).
“Guys have been throwing great,” Samardzija said. “We want to make sure that where we’re at in the season now, I’m 100 percent healthy going forward to help this team win.
“I guess there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is we’re back here where we’re at. The good news is after doing this once or twice we’ve got a really good plan moving forward.”
The plan is more trial-and-error than foolproof.
Samardzija and the medical staff need to determine what caused the injury to recur in his second start off his second DL stint, be it weight work, the amount he throws between starts or even batting practice, then pluck those out of his routine.
Samardzija is eager to contribute to the stretch drive and reduce that 6.25 ERA. He was hopeful after he allowed three runs in five innings in his 81pitch return from the DL on July 7 because his velocity was there from the get-go.
A week later, against the A’s, the physical issues resurfaced. He allowed two runs in four innings against Oakland, threw 55 pitches and was done.
Asked if he felt pain or stiffness, Samardzija said, “There’s a little of both. It’s been different. For the most part the best way to describe it is a little bit of a dead arm, like your little brother cold-cocked you in the arm. Then you shake it out and you’re fine a minute or two later.”
Samardzija said his arm felt great when he made his final start last year, so he rested in the offseason as a pitcher would after throwing a careerhigh 2072⁄3 innings. This winter will be different. Rest will be replaced by treatment and strength work in a bid to come to spring training ready to go.
For what’s left of this year, Samardzija does not want to be half a pitcher on the mound anymore. He said he did not have to go on the DL, and could have kept pitching, but he wouldn’t be himself.
“We’re trying to go,” he said. “I’m not trying to hold back. I want to know what’s there and see if I can do it. To be effective in the big leagues, you’ve got to put it all on the line, every pitch.”