Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants have known for seven months Madison Bumgarner would not be around for Opening Day. They’ve known for a few weeks Buster Posey would be absent. They’ve known for a week Brandon Belt’s status is in jeopardy.
Now Evan Longoria joins the list of established Giants who may not be on the field in Los Angeles in seven days.
The third baseman who’s as close to an everyday player as the Giants possess suffered a moderate right side oblique strain while swinging, Gabe Kapler said Thursday. Kapler called it a “day by day” issue and did not want to speculate about next Thursday’s opener.
“We’re just kind of taking it slow as well with him the last couple of days,” the manager said on a Zoom call after the team’s intrasquad scrimmage. “That’s where we are with it.”
On a team filled with platoon options, Longoria is a rare constant, fresh off a somewhat comeback season and fresh off an offseason spent in Arizona working with the team’s coaching staff. His swing would be found in the middle of the order, a three-time All-Star who still commands respect when he’s in the batters’ box.
If Longoria is out for a prolonged period, the most sensible fill-in is Pablo Sandoval, who can man third but whom the Giants would rather not play every day. Zach Green’s prodigious power was on display in Scottsdale, but the 26-year-old is unproven and not on the 40-man. (Sandoval also needs to be added.)
Wilmer Flores can play third, but also likely will be asked to play second and first — especially with Belt’s status unclear for Opening Day.
Kapler said Belt took ground balls on the field and ran on the treadmill, saying he still has “a shot” to be in the lineup at Dodger Stadium.
“Everything went smoothly and he’s progressing nicely at this point,” Kapler said of Belt, who has been out with right heel soreness.
Yet, even if Belt were 100 percent healthy, San Francisco may prefer he watch Clayton Kershaw from the bench and have righties Flores or Darin Ruf play first.