John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants won’t see Brandon Belt likely for a long while, and the return of another lefty who can play first base will be delayed as well.
Tommy La Stella suffered a setback during his rehab assignment in jamming his right, throwing thumb and has a small fracture, Gabe Kapler said Saturday. The flexible infielder likely will not be ready when he’s eligible to return from the 60-day injured list, on July 2.
“He’s going to be in a splint for a week,” Kapler said before the second game of the Bay Bridge Series at Oracle Park. “Probably two weeks before he’s back and at full speed again.”
Two weeks would put La Stella at July 10, and the 11th is the Giants’ last game before the All-Star break. They won’t see the second/first/third baseman before the break.
They have weathered the season without him thanks to players such as LaMonte Wade Jr. and Jason Vosler, lefty hitters who can play the infield, filling the gaps. Yet, at full health, La Stella is their leadoff hitter against righties and has an eye for the strike zone that few do. He had not got going before he suffered his hamstring strain on May 2 and was slashing .235/.297/.353.
Buster Posey was out of the lineup for a second straight game with a back that was “a little bit locked up,” Kapler said. His lower back had flared up on him in the cage Friday, which made him a late scratch.
Kapler said it was possible they could use him off the bench (only if needed), but “we want to give him one more day.”
Curt Casali, who homered while filling in Friday, was the starting catcher.
Aaron Sanchez threw two innings and 24 pitches of a rehab start Friday and exited with the same blister issue that has plagued him for more than a week.
“His next start is in question at this point,” Kapler said.
The Giants released 33-year-old first baseman Justin Bour, who had posted a .772 OPS in 33 games at Triple-A. Kapler said it was a “mutually discussed decision.”
Logan Webb (right shoulder strain) is expected to throw a 20-pitch sim game Sunday morning.