SF Giants injury updates: Thairo Estrada, Anthony DeSclafani, more
The SF Giants have undeniably been dealing with a cavalcade of injuries this season. Entering the year with an older roster that featured several players with long injury histories, it's no surprise. Nevertheless, Giants manager Gabe Kapler and president of baseball operations each have provided updates on the timelines for various players currently on the injured list in separate media availabilities on Friday and Saturday.
Reliever Luke Jackson has been out since suffering a lower back strain in late June, but he threw a bullpen on Friday, and Kapler is optimistic he could return to the staff soon.
"I just went out and I watched his pen, and it was good," Kapler said about Jackson. "He felt good. Yeah, I don't think it's going to be long. I don't have a specific date for you, but trending in the right direction."
Kapler also said inactive starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani is set to make a rehab appearance during the All-Star break, suggesting he could return to the rotation when he is first eligible on July 18th.
"I believe DeSclafani is going to pitch in an Arizona League game during our All-Star break," he said.
When asked whether the Giants would look to add outfielders at the deadline, Zaidi said the team feels like they have strong enough depth in the organization. He also discussed the injury rehabs of Heliot Ramos (Giants Top 30 Prospect), Luis González, and Mitch Haniger.
"We have good options there. You know, Ramos is on rehab, and he's been actually swinging the bat really well, and he's eligible to come off, I think in about 10-12 days," Zaidi said. "Luis González should be kind of ramping up here soon, and he could be a factor for us in August. Mitch's timetable still looks like we're hoping around September 1st he could come back. Obviously, with the slightly expanded rosters. It could be a situation where we can be pretty aggressive in bringing him back knowing, maybe he's not going to play every day right away or be built up to do that, but with the expanded rosters, we might not need that."
Zaidi added later in the press conference that González is starting to do baseball activities and is on track to begin appearing in games at the Arizona Complex League at some point "in the next 10 days or so."
Zaidi had no new information on second baseman Thairo Estrada, who is on the injured list with a fractured left hand. Estrada has been a key contributor on the Giants this season, hitting .272/.327/.434 with 18 doubles, a triple, nine home runs, and a team-leading 18 stolen bases.
"We get our medical updates and so the first one we got said 4-6 weeks and it's a few days later, and it still says 4-6 weeks," Zaidi said. "So, you just wonder if it's been moved back or if they just haven't updated it. Again, it's just really uncertain. I ask the same question all the time, and it's just one there's not really an answer for until he can start picking up a bat and doing some baseball activities. Like I said, I'm hoping that we get him back, you know, around or soon after the trade deadline, but I just don't know for sure. There's still some uncertainty there."
With the MLB trade deadline right around the corner, the SF Giants will attempt to prepare for more inevitable injuries while also providing opportunities to quality players already in the organization. Given the number of players currently on the injured list, they will hope to welcome several key pieces back into the fold over the next couple of weeks.
