Patrick Bailey might have a concussion, Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters in Chicago after their 11-8 loss to the Cubs.
Bailey, the rookie backstop, exited in the ninth inning. He’d already replaced Blake Sabol, so if the Giants forced the game into the bottom of the ninth, it’s unclear who would’ve caught the rest of the game. J.D. Davis grounded into a game-ending double play, though, confirming San Francisco’s fifth consecutive defeat and preventing that emergency scenario.
“Potential concussion after a slide into the plate,” Kapler said postgame. “Think he took a shoulder to the chin. Thought he was a little light-headed, had to get him out of there. We’ll keep checking on him and obviously report back as we get more information.”
Bailey caught nearly two full innings after Jaimer Candelario collided with him at the plate. The play didn’t look extraordinary, but there was clearly contact.
Joey Bart, who would likely replace Bailey if he needs to hit the injured list, got lifted from Sacramento’s game in the third inning. He has been hitting .280 with a .862 OPS for the River Cats since Aug. 1.
Kapler said Bart “may” head from Las Vegas to Chicago for the series finale, adding that “could be a bit of a rush job.”
Bart has played just 26 games for the Giants this year after being supplanted by Bailey and Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol. He last appeared for San Francisco on May 17.
Bailey has been one of the Giants’ most impactful players this season, immediately leaping to the top of defensive metric leaderboards and, at times, providing power from both sides of the plate.
The 24-year-old rookie is hitting .248 on the season and ranks fourth among National League rookies in Fangraphs WAR.