Giants Beat:
Steven Duggar says he’s fine with moving AT&T bullpens to Triples Alley.
Word travels between San Francisco and Sacramento a lot faster than the traffic on Interstate 80. While Steven Duggar was finishing his minor-league development in Triple-A, he and his teammates followed renewed debate over moving the AT&T Park bullpens to rightcenter field — behind a new fence — for safety’s sake.
On Sunday, after hitting his first big-league triple, Duggar said he would be fine with such a move, which could neutralize the great speed advantage he brings to the Giants, not only hitting balls into Triples Alley but running them down as well.
Duggar was not necessarily advocating it or speaking out. He was responding to a question about an ever-present debate that could affect him for years to come as the Giants’ center fielder. He said he was aware of the debate after what happened to teammate Mac Williamson.
Williamson tripped over the home bullpen mound down the left-field line and banged his head on a wall while chasing a flyball in April, sustaining a concussion that ruined his promising season and renewed calls for the bullpens to be placed somewhere else.
“It is a dangerous deal. We’re aware of that,” Duggar said. “If you’re talking about moving the bullpens to rightcenter, if they do that, I’m sure guys wouldn’t have a riot about it.”
Giants hitters actually might celebrate it and freeagent hitters might be more inclined to sign here. The pitchers would feel differently, of course. Either way, the debate seems to be moot.
The vast real estate in right-center is a signature feature of AT&T Park that the Giants have not been inclined to change, while also arguing that that ballpark’s tiny footprint leaves them little alternative for relocating the bullpens.
As long as the dimensions stay the way they are, Duggar said, he will use them to exploit his strengths at the plate and afield.
“I think this is a great park for him,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “If he hits it into the gap, it’s probably going to be a triple. With his range, he’s going to cut off a lot of doubles and triples.” Briefly: The Giants said Buster Posey was “resting comfortably” after hip surgery Monday afternoon to repair a torn labrum and shave down bone spurs. Head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner accompanied Posey to Colorado for the operation. Posey will return to the Bay Area this week to begin his rehabilitation . ... Bochy is leaning toward Aramis Garcia catching Dereck Rodriguez on Wednesday night. The two briefly were teammates as 12-yearolds on a travel team.