Yastrzemski, hitting .125, has ‘earmarked’ night off

Mike Yastrzemski, 4for32 (.125) nine games into the season, got just his second start off Monday against the redhot Reds and a tough lefty starter, Wade Miley.

Manager Gabe Kapler said that Monday was an “earmarked” day off for Yastrzemski, given the lefthanded starter, plus a string of 13 days with games coming after Thursday’s off day.

Yastrzemski’s slow start might be related to the bruised hand he incurred in the final exhibition game, when he was hit by a pitch from Oakland’s Sean Manaea, but Kapler liked the adjustment Yastrzemski made in Sunday’s win over the Padres when Yastrzemski doubled in the seventh to set up the Giants’ final run.

“His leg lift was a little bit more controlled and slightly higher,” Kapler said. “He smoked that double down the rightfield line. That was obviously encouraging.”

With Yastrzemski out, Austin Slater was in the leadoff spot and in right field. The last time Yastrzemski got a start off ? He smacked a gamedeciding pinchhit homer against the Padres the previous Monday.

Given the impending stretch of 13 games without a break, Kapler will be looking for ways to get other everyday players breaks in the next two days.

Yastrzemski wasn’t the only lefthanded hitter out of the lineup against Miley; in fact, it’s easier just to say that Brandon Crawford was the only lefty in the order. Brandon Belt, 5for10 lifetime with a homer off Miley, was among those on the bench, which is to be expected because the Giants play the leftright advantage as much as possible, but Kapler said career matchups aren’t disregarded.

“We do examine history with pitcherbatter specific numbers, and I think it’s important because what it usually demonstrates is a comfort level for that hitter in the batter’s box against that particular pitcher,” Kapler said. “If Brandon has great career numbers against Miley, and he’s not in the lineup, it’s not an indication that Brandon can’t hit Wade Miley.

“It’s much more an indication that Wilmer Flores is specifically on our roster to hit Wade Miley. We believe that over the course of time, our guys like Wilmer Flores who have been lefty killers will continue to do that.”

Briefly: The Giants’ defense made just two errors over the first nine games, which Kapler called “satisfactory,” and he noted that when Belt, Crawford, third baseman Evan Longoria and second baseman Donovan Solano are all playing their positions well, the team is at its best. But, he added, “I think there are some plays we could have made that we haven’t.” ... Kapler said the team is continuing to move closer to an 85% vaccination rate among the traveling party, though he did not have specific numbers. “I think everybody’s looking forward to getting to that spot and loosening up just a bit,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to being able to see coaches’ faces when they’re having conversations.