Giants’ injuries mount as Opening Day looms originally appeared nbc sports birea
Scottsdale, Ariz. — For the first month of spring training, the Giants appeared to be in a relatively good place from a health perspective. Which has been revealed as soon as possible.
Brandon Crawford is the latest injury report that started the rush over the weekend. The Giants announced Crawford had left knee trouble, and would be sidelined for the next week.
The 36-year-old, who was plagued by knee inflammation last season, was managing the discomfort early in the camp.
Crawford, entering his 13th MLB season, needs fewer spring training reps than any other player in the game, but the blow was a reminder of an area where the Giants lack much depth. Thiaro Estrada is their current backup shortstop, with Brett Wisely the top option in Triple-A if the Giants need help during the season.
Crawford and David Villar are slated to form the left side of the infield, but Villar has a mild hip flexor strain and is currently sidelined as well. However, the Giants don’t seem to be deterring him from being ready for Opening Day.
There is less certainty about Mitch Haniger, who strained his oblique last week and may not be ready until a few days into the regular season, which begins March 30 at Yankee Stadium.
Luis Gonzalez, one of the backup options, missed the entire exhibition season due to a back injury and flew to Los Angeles to get a second opinion from a spine specialist. To make up for any gaps in the outfield, the Giants started catcher Blake Sabol in left field on Monday against the San Diego Padres. Wisely got the start in center field in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Oakland Athletics.
The Giants also announced that left-hander Thomas Szapucki (neuropathy of the left arm) is seeking a second opinion. Szapucki has been sidelined all spring, and the Giants lost another lefty bullpen option on Sunday.
Connected: Versatile Blake Sabol continues to fight for Giants’ Opening Day roster spot
Ronald Guzman came off the mound In pain after throwing a pitch to the backstop and is getting an MRI on his left forearm to determine the severity of the injury.
The health news wasn’t all bad at the start of a new week. alex cobb, who got hit by a one liner On Saturday, will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. On the minor league side, Marco Luciano (back) participated in a simulated at-bat and is expected to be ready to play in a minor league game sometime this month.