Nuñez joins growing injury list
PHOENIX — After a spring without much health news, the Giants’ injury wagon suddenly got crowded with the season opener less than two weeks away.
When reliever Will Smith flew to San Francisco to have his sprained elbow ligament seen by a team doctor, third baseman Eduardo Nuñez went with him. Nuñez was checked as well and got a cortisone shot in his right shoulder, which has bothered him all spring.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Nuñez will be off until Saturday, while Smith has another flight planned.
Smith will go to Los Angeles to get a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, one of the nation’s most prominent orthopedic surgeons, who has performed many Tommy John ligament replacements.
Bochy did not know if Smith would undergo the seasonending operation immediately if he chose that option. Even if Smith decides to rehab the elbow, he will not pitch anytime soon. “It’s going to be awhile,” Bochy said.
One of Smith’s potential replacements, Steven Okert, maintained his 0.00 ERA with an escape act in Wednesday’s 6-4 victory over the Brewers, who did not score despite runners on the corners with nobody out. Two Cains: Most signs point toward Matt Cain beginning the season as the No. 5 starter and pitching against the Padres on April 7, although Bochy still will not tip his hand.
Cain has had a terrible spring and had a terrible first inning against Milwaukee, allowing three first-inning runs on four extremely loud hits. However, he redeemed himself over his final four innings, holding Milwaukee to a Jesus Aguilar solo homer.
Cain said he made better pitches and got ahead in the count more over the final four innings, but he also mixed speeds better to keep the hitters off-balance, which he has not done well overall.
“The results are not something I’m focusing on,” Cain said. “I’m more worried about making the pitches I need to do, making adjustments I need to make and know that I’m still moving forward for the season.”
Cain threw 75 pitches. Ty Blach, the other potential fifth starter, has not been stretched that far, but Bochy said Blach will get his count high enough to be a viable starting candidate.
The April schedule gives the Giants a lot of flexibility with that spot in the rotation. Off days on the 17th and 20th would allow them to skip the fifth starter twice with the other four going on normal rest.
Cain is not focused that far ahead, just looking at April 7.
“That’s the only thing I’m preparing for, to make sure I’m ready to go 100 pitches and be ready for the starting role,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been getting ready for and that’s the plan.” Briefly: Bochy said the Giants did not prevent the U.S. team from catching Buster Posey on successive days in the World Baseball Classic. Manager Jim Leyland has alternated catchers throughout the tournament. Posey played in Tuesday’s semifinal game and Jonathan Lucroy started Wednesday’s championship game . ... Firstbase coach Jose Alguicil returned to work, but did not coach first base. He is still healing from the effects of a foul ball to the face.