© Troy Taormina | USA Today
SEATTLE – After back-to-back losses to the Oakland A’s following the All-Star break, the Giants will be hoping to add reinforcements to the lineup sooner, rather than later. The losses pushed the Giants (51-50) to 5.5 games out of first place in the National League West and 4.5 games out of the second NL Wild Card spot.
The Giants have been one of the worst-hitting team in the major leagues in the month of July, standing 27th in batting average (.231), last in home runs (10) and second-to-last in extra-base hits (40).
Luckily for the Giants, the only team that has struggled nearly as much for power is the Seattle Mariners, who rank second-to-last in home runs (11) and last in extra-base hits (25) during the month of July. The Giants start a quick, two-game away series in Seattle Tuesday night before returning home for a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Unfortunately for the Giants, reinforcements won’t arrive until this weekend at earliest. According to manager Bruce Bochy, third baseman Evan Longoria, who started in his first full nine-inning game Sunday for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, will sit today due to an upper arm contusion from a pitch that hit him. He is expected to play again Wednesday and is likely to be activated this weekend.
Second baseman Joe Panik, who is recovering from a left groin strain, will make his first rehab start on Thursday for the River Cats. Panik started sprinting for the first time before the A’s game on Sunday.
Finally, starter Jeff Samardzija is likely to be out for longer than initially expected. Samardzija was placed on the 10-day disabled list after suffering from right shoulder inflammation July 15, and received an MRI and plasma-rich platelet (PRP) shot the following day. He took a bullpen session preceding Sunday’s game against the A’s and will make minor league starts before he sees more time with the Giants. Derek Holland will make a spot start against the Mariners in Samardzija’s place on Wednesday.