© Kareem Elgazzar | 2021 Jul 12
Talk about a mixed bag.
All-Stars Kevin Gausman and Buster Posey will rejoin the Giants as the team’s other All-Star, Brandon Crawford, hits the 10-day injured list, the club announced Monday. An MRI showed an oblique strain for Crawford that he sustained on a swing Sunday in St. Louis, which is projected to keep him out for 10-14 days. Infielder Jason Vosler has been called up as a reinforcement. Thairo Estrada is expected to fill-in heavily at shortstop.
Now for the good news. Gausman will make the start vs. the Dodgers after taking a three-day hiatus from the team while he supported his wife, Taylor, who was facing pregnancy complications. Posey returns after over two weeks away from the team thanks to a left thumb contusion and bone bruise he suffered on July 4.
The corresponding moves involve catcher Chadwick Tromp and Caleb Baragar, both of whom have been sent down to Triple-A Sacramento. Tromp started Sunday’s game and went 0-for-3. Baragar hasn’t made an appearance since June, but has been excellent, posting a 0.49 ERA in 18.1 innings with the major league club this season.
Speaking of excellent, Gausman and Posey have been one of the best batteries in baseball this season. Posey’s .986 OPS is the best among all MLB catchers with at least 200 at-bats, and the highest of his career. Gausman’s 1.73 ERA is the second lowest in the major’s among qualified pitchers, despite the fact he’s started three more games than ERA leader Jacob deGrom (1.08 ERA).
Here’s the lineup for tonight’s series-opener vs. the Dodgers:
1. Wade 1B
2. Yaz RF
3. Posey C
4. Flores 3B
5. Dickerson LF
6. Solano 2B
7. Duggar CF
8. Estrada SS
9. Gausman RHP