SAN FRANCISCO — When the Giants play night games at AT&T Park, Bruce Bochy’s daily ritual begins at about 3:50 p.m. A hoard of reporters will surround the manager for his pregame media update, and Bochy will run through his catalog of his injured players.
He delivers updates on rehab assignments, information passed along to him from trainers or minor league coaches. But in the hours leading up to Monday’s game, the Giants saw a couple of positive signs first-hand from their injured players.
Matt Duffy (left Achilles strain) ended his batting practice with an exclamation point, tucking a home run just inside the left field wall. Joe Panik (concussion) finished his fielding session by snagging a ground ball behind second base and flipping a behind-the-back toss to Duffy at second. The duo shared a high-five in celebration of the play, another touchstone as they inch closer to returning.
Bochy wasn’t on the field to see the play, but watched his two rehabbing infielders take batting practice before the Giants’ (58-40) opening game against the Reds (38-60). Both Panik and Duffy swung well, and Bochy said the second baseman will resume his rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento. Injured outfielder Hunter Pence could return to the Giants in a week, Bochy said, and Panik possibly a few days before that.
Duffy hasn’t begun his rehab assignment, but could do so as soon as this weekend. The last hurdle left for Duffy to clear is running the bases. That’s a feat well in sight, especially after Duffy had a positive report after running curves on the field Monday. He’s spent much of the last week running at the Giants’ complex in Arizona, where he rehabbed with fellow injured teammate Cory Gearrin (strained right shoulder).
Gerrin said he’s getting close to a rehab assignment himself after facing hitters on Sunday. Ironically enough, Duffy was the first batter to step in against Gearrin, and he barreled up a first-pitch fastball. Recalling the moment on Monday, Gearrin smiled and said after that, he had no reservations about dipping into his repertoire of off-speed pitches.
He previously wondered about his ability to throw a slider. That’s pitch Gearrin lost a feel for with his injured shoulder, and the pitch he gave up a three-run home run to Nolan Arenado on before landing on the DL July 6. But all indications were positive from the right-hander after going all-out in his Sunday throwing session.
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There’s a familiar face batting fifth in the Reds’ lineup. Adam Duvall never capitalized on his intermittent chances with the Giants in 2014, but has flourished since getting flipped to Cincinnati last season in the Mike Leake trade.
He leads all left fielders in home runs (23), RBI (66) and extra-base hits (47). It’s left some Giants fans wondering how the team could part with a player that’s turned himself into an asset, even though his .192 average in 28 games with the Giants didn’t have those same fans clamoring for more at-bats.
“(Duvall’s) one of those guys that you pull for,” Bochy said. “…You hate to give up guys, but at the same some you have to give up someone good to get someone good back.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised,” Bochy said of Duvall’s breakout year. “He’s got a good swing and easy power.”
Per the Reds’ PR notes, Duvall joins Johnny Bench as the only player in team history with 20 doubles, 23 home runs and 61 RBI prior to the All-Star Game. That’s good company.
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Giants lineup vs. Anthony DeSclafani (5-0, 2.50 ERA)
CF – Denard Span (L)
LF – Angel Pagan (S)
RF – Jarrett Parker (L)
C – Buster Posey
SS – Brandon Crawford (L)
1B – Brandon Belt
3B – Conor Gillaspie (L)
2B – Ramiro Peña (S)
RHP – Jake Peavy
Reds lineup vs. Jake Peavy (5-8, 5.15 ERA)
CF – Billy Hamilton (S)
SS – Zack Cozart
1B – Joey Votto (L)
RF – Jay Bruce (L)
LF – Adam Duvall
2B – Brandon Phillips
3B – Eugenio Suarez
C – Tucker Barnmart (S)
RHP – Anthon DeSlafani