LOS ANGELES — The Giants are beginning their first series against the rival Dodgers without two of their key outfielders in LaMonte Wade Jr. and Mike Yastrzemski.
Wade, who’s been dealing with knee soreness, hasn’t made his 2022 debut yet. Yastrzemski has missed the last seven games entering Tuesday with COVID-19. But both could be back as soon as the second of two games against LA on Wednesday.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Wade is physically ready to come off the injured list. Then what’s the hold up?
“One of the things we’ve talked a lot about is that just being the first step,” Kapler said. “The second step is his comfort and confidence. We want, when LaMonte comes to the major leagues — which is soon, it’s just a matter of ‘is it tomorrow, is it the next day?’ but it’s soon — for him to be fully confident in his knee. Which is a major psychological factor. And then ready to play multiple games, play back-to-back games. Play a nine-inning game or an extra inning game and then come back the next day and be ready to pinch-hit.”
Wade is set to play nine innings for Sacramento during the Dodgers-Giants game. The River Cats also have a day game on Wednesday; if the outfielder doesn’t get recalled by the big league club, he’s healthy enough to play in that night-day schedule.
Another consideration: the Dodgers’ starting pitcher. Southpaw Julio Urías is starting Tuesday night’s game, so Wade likely wouldn’t be in SF’s starting lineup anyway (Brandon Crawford is the Giants’ only left-handed hitters tarting on Tuesday). The Dodgers haven’t yet announced Wednesday’s starter, but if it’s a righty, that boosts Wade’s odds of debuting.
The same could be said about Yastrzemski, who has started against left-handed pitchers but performs much better with a platoon advantage.
Wednesday’s marks the 10th day since Yastrzemski tested positive for COVID-19 in Washington D.C.. He’s since flown cross-country back to the Bay Area and, if a favorable matchup presents itself, should be ready to contribute.
“We have good confidence that we can reactivate him tomorrow,” Kapler said. “If that’s the right fit for our roster, that’s what we’ll do.”
- Brandon Belt, who also has COVID-19, is feeling good and working out, Kapler said. Dominic Leone and Zack Littell are also on the COVID list. Players are eligible to come off the COVID list after 10 days or two consecutive negative PCR tests between days five and 10.
- The last time San Francisco saw Urías, he was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the NLDS — the Giants’ last game of the season. Urías pitched four strong innings after LA opened with two relievers, but allowed a solo home run to Darin Ruf in the sixth inning. Ruf is currently homerless in 2022, but the Giants aren’t overly concerned about his slow start.
- Kevin Padlo, whom the Giants traded cash for last week, is starting at third base and hitting seventh on Tuesday. He can play both corner infield spots, a trait San Francisco values.
- Evan Longoria (finger) and Tommy La Stella (Achilles). are both beginning their rehab assignments Tuesday night with Sacramento. Kapler said their timetables are flexible, but the plan is for “a couple weeks.” Longoria especially could return earlier; Kapler said the veteran knows his body and doesn’t take long to get in rhythm once he’s physically ready to play.