Evan Longoria and Tomy Ła Stella ran around the bases for the second straight day, and their increased recovery programs got an even more encouraging update Sunday in Oracle Park.
Both Longoria and La Stella, barring setbacks, will begin rehab assignments this coming week, Manager Gabe Kapler said. Neither veteran has played yet this season.
Longoria underwent surgery on his right index finger about a month ago. The original timetable for his return was 4-to-6 weeks, and nothing in his recovery has taken him off that plan. The biggest issue for him for weeks has been gripping and throwing a ball, but he has been throwing recently.
La Stella hasn’t made his season debut yet after getting surgery to repair his left Achilles. The second baseman played frequently during spring training but wasn’t comfortable enough to break camp with the Giants.
The 33-year-old former All-Star hit .250 for the Giants last year. In his stead, Thairo Estrada leads San Francisco in RBI with 14.
Both La Stella and Longoria’s imminent returns, in addition to several players set to come off the COVID-19 list, will be a boon for the depleted Giants. But it may also force some tough decisions. Every MLB roster needs to be cut from 28 to 26 players tomorrow, May 2. Teams can carry up to 14 pitchers until May 29.
- To make room on the 28-man roster for Alex Cobb, who’s starting against Washington on Sunday, the Giants optioned Kervin Castro. Castro lost what had been a MLB career-long scoreless streak this weekend.
- Austin Slater, who left Saturday’s game with a knee contusion, is available to hit off the bench Sunday. Joc Pederson (right abductor strain) also may be available to hit, Kapler said.
- For the Giants’ upcoming two-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Carlos Rodón and Alex Wood will take the mound.
- LaMonte Wade Jr. (knee) is nearing a return but won’t play a rehab assignment game today. He played nine innings yesterday and has gone 5-for-14 in five games with the River Cats. The outfielder has been in consistent communication with Giants coaches. Both Wade and the team want to make sure he’s back to 100% before returning, but the upcoming Dodgers series is still a possibility.