Longoria looks to start on rehab
Third baseman hopes for assignment by end of next week
SAN FRANCISCO >> Giants third baseman Evan Longoria, who is now four weeks removed from surgery on his index finger, said he is hopeful that he could be ready to begin a rehab assignment by the end of next week.
“I'm pretty optimistic that within a week's time, I'll be able to play somewhere, or at least be full speed at everything,” Longoria said. “Even if I'm not playing in an actual game, be comfortable enough to be taking a live BP, or doing everything at full speed.”
For now, Longoria has progressed to swinging a bat and throwing from up to 60 feet.
Before the game Tuesday, Longoria was taking ground balls and third base and using his surgically repaired right hand to make throws, a noticeable improvement from two weeks ago.
Another injured Giants player, starter Anthony DeSclafani (right ankle inflammation), will be shut down for at least the next two weeks, opening a hole in San Francisco's starting rotation.
Doctor's orders for DeSclafani are to rest until the swelling and pain begin to decrease. For the Giants, the immediate task at hand is filling his spot the next time through the rotation, which is due up Wednesday in the finale of the two-game Bay Bridge series.
After tossing five shutout innings of relief Friday, righthander Jakob Junis appears set up to get the first shot at filling the rotation spot.
“I'm built up,” Junis said. “I'm in a position workloadwise where I could do that.”
Junis threw 61 pitches on Friday — and said he was built up to at least 75 — and will have a normal four days of rest for Wednesday, though manager Gabe Kapler declined to name a starter before Tuesday's game and said they could employ Sam Long or another reliever as an opener, too.
GIANTS MAKE MORE ROSTER MOVES >> Prior to the start of Tuesday's game, the Giants placed right-hander Zack Littell on the injured list and recalled reliever Kervin Castro from Triple-A Sacramento. No reason was given for Littell's injured list placement, which often means a player has tested positive for COVID-19 or is symptomatic.
The Giants also announced they acquired infielder Kevin Padlo in exchange for cash considerations from the Seattle Mariners. Padlo, who was hitting .173 with a .644 OPS for Triple-A Tacoma, will report to Triple-A Sacramento.