Crawford says hamstring feels better

ST. LOUIS — Brandon Crawford had a glove and bat in hand Saturday as he strode into the dugout before pregame activity at Busch Stadium.

Crawford said he was feeling much better after an IV and hydration alleviated the hamstring cramping that knocked the Giants’ shortstop out of the previous night’s game.

He wasn’t in the starting lineup against the Cardinals, but he drew a pinchhit walk in the ninth before coming out for a pinchrunner; manager Gabe Kapler said he is optimistic that Crawford will be in the lineup Sunday.

The issue struck Crawford on a 21 pitch during his eighthinning atbat Friday, and after he singled, he came out of the game. It’s been a long week for the AllStar, who was in Denver for three days, then flew to St. Louis, where it’s muggy.

“Hot, humid weather, not much of a break,” he said. “I think that all kind of contributed, whether it’s fatigue or dehydration or maybe a combination.”

The Giants also might be getting AllStar starter Kevin Gausman back Monday in Los Angeles; Gausman’s wife, Taylor, will be released from the hospital Sunday morning after receiving treatment for pregnancy complications. Kapler wasn’t ready to announce

Gausman as the starter for the first game against the Dodgers but considers him a possibility.

Buster Posey remains a daytoday proposition for coming off the injured list. The third of the team’s 2021 AllStars has been out since July 5 with a left thumb bone bruise that impacts his ability to catch, but Kapler said Posey is continuing to improve. “We know that Buster makes our lineup better, our defense better, our pitchers better, and as soon as we feel like he can do all those things and stay safe, we’re gonna make that happen soon,” Kapler said.

Third baseman Evan Longoria, who strained the SC joint between the collarbone and breastbone in a collision with Crawford on June 5, worked out in the field but is not doing highintensity activity.

“These next couple of weeks are going to be about trying to see how much I can tolerate and just push it a little bit further every day,” he said.

Longoria said he expects to be ready to start games when eligible to return Aug. 5.