Gonzalez returns as knee forces Wade back on IL
Outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. needed a significant amount of rehab so he could make his 2022 debut for the San Francisco Giants, and now the outfielder is back on the injured list.
Wade was shelved Friday with left knee issues, including inflammation and a bone bruise, and placed on the 10day IL. Taking his roster spot was outfielder Luis Gonzalez, who was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento early in the week.
“Very frustrating,” said Wade, a key reason the Giants won a franchise-record 107 games last season. “Very frustrating.”
A knee injury in spring training caused Wade to miss the opening weeks of the season, and he played just 10 games before returning to the IL. He was hitting .240 with a .375 on-base percentage.
Wade’s knee flared up Monday in Colorado when he was hurt running from first to second base. An MRI exam showed inflammation, and Wade was examined Friday morning by team surgeon Dr. Ken Akizuki and will see another doctor Monday.
“I feel for LaMonte,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “He’s worked so hard to get back and is off to a good start, swinging the ball really well, seeing the ball really well. It’s tough when your body is not cooperating with you.”
Wade’s presence was a reason the Giants had optioned Gonzalez, who was hitting .349 in 21 games. Both are left-handed hitters. Gonzalez was sent to Sacramento the day Tommy La Stella was added to the roster.
“Whenever there’s some bad news like LaMonte needing to go on the IL,” Kapler said, “there’s also some good news, and that good news is we’ve got Luis Gonzalez back.”
Padres’ Melvin returns: San Diego manager Bob Melvin was back at work following his May 11 prostate surgery and in good spirits. No cancer was found, and Melvin missed eight straight games, nine overall.
“It went well. I’m glad I’m back. It was miserable being away. I would like to recognize the people at UCSD. Man, are they fantastic.”
Melvin, a former Giants catcher and A’s manager, communicated regularly with his bench coach, Ryan Christianson, who served as manager. In the nine games, the Padres were 6-3.
Briefly: Curt Casali was the starting catcher for the third time in four games . ... La Stella took grounders at third base before the game. “We want him to be ready for anything so we can effectively deploy him,” Kapler said. La Stella has made two starts, both at designated hitter . ... The city of Richmond will honor Willie Mays on Saturday by renaming fields at Nicholl Park after the Say Hey Kid, who turned 91 on May 6. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., following a parade . ... PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon returned to her booth after missing games following a positive test for the coronavirus.