The Giants’ most dependable starting pitcher through the first two months of the season will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Jakob Junis, who leads San Francisco’s rotation in both ERA and WHIP, is hitting the 15-day injured list with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He left Friday night’s game in the top of the sixth inning after landing awkwardly on his left leg.
Online medical resources suggest a recovery for a Grade 2 strain could be between four and eight weeks, but every injury and every person is different.
Junis spoke with reporters before he got the results of his MRI back. He said his leg felt slightly better Saturday morning than he did after suffering the injury and remained hopeful, but frustrated.
“Things like this happen,” Junis said. “Can’t really control it. You just got to try to get healthy and get back.”
The Giants now have three starters on the injured list, as Junis joins Alex Cobb and Anthony DeSclafani.
Cobb is closer to a return than DeSclafani, and June 19 remains on the table for him. DeSclafani is scheduled to throw three-to-four innings in his first rehab start Saturday; he’s eligible to return on June 21.
“Hopefully, moving forward, we can get healthy and stay healthy,” Junis said. “That’s going to be key for us moving forward. It’s still pretty early on, we’re not even halfway in. So hopefully once we come back from these few injuries, we can make it to the finish line.”
Until Cobb and DeSclafani return, SF will have to fill holes in the rotation. Saturday, the Giants are rolling with Sam Long and bullpen arms against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. Junis’ next start would have been June 15 — the series finale against Kansas City. Manager Gabe Kapler said the club has several internal options, both at the major league and Triple-A level, to piece together innings when necessary.
But no option can likely replicate the success Junis had. The righty who signed for $1.75 million this offseason has a 2.63 ERA in nine games with a four-to-one strikeout to walk ratio.
- First baseman Brandon Belt remains on the injured list with a sore knee, but he went through a full workout on the field Saturday. Kapler said his energy has been great the past couple days, and Belt said he’s feeling much better. It’s possible The Captain returns for the series finale against the Dodgers on Sunday.
- Neither Tommy La Stella nor Evan Longoria are in Sunday’s starting lineup on Saturday. La Stella, who’s dealing with a sore back, seems less likely to appear off the bench than Longoria (left hamstring tightness).
- Saturday is Pride Day at Oracle Park. Both the Giants and Dodgers are wearing LGBT pride logos on their jerseys to celebrate pride month and express a welcoming atmosphere.