Back surgery could keep SF Giants' Luis González out through All-Star Break

Luis González was a pleasant surprise for the San Francisco Giants last season. Now, it'll be a surprise if he's back before mid-season.

SF Giants outfielder Luis González ended the 2022 season on the injured list, a factor that kept him for playing for his native Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Insurance wouldn't cover him, but even if it did, his back problems continued this spring. In late February, the team announced he'd miss four to six weeks with a lower back strain.

Some #sfgiants injury news: OF Luis Gonzalez is undergoing surgery today to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. It’s a 16-week recovery estimate. He’ll miss at least half the season but there’s optimism that he’ll finally put the issue behind him.

— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 14, 2023

This week, he went for a second opinion and ended up having surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. The projected 16-week recovery period would leave González out until at least July 4.

Last year, González started hot, winning the Rookie of the Month award for May. For the month, he slashed .368/.410/.500, stole three bases, and knocked in 13 runs. 

The former college pitcher even took the mound in back-to-back games.

Luis Gonzalez is the 1st position player to pitch in consecutive team games in at least the expansion era (since 1961)

(was primarily position player in that season)

(there is QUITE a rabbit hole of pitchers-converted-to-OFs and Granny Hamner's return to MLB as a knuckleballer)

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 24, 2022

Earlier in the month, González took the mound in a game he'd started in left field, and hit a three-run home run. Off Albert Pujols.

González's absence will weaken the Giants' outfield, and also their bullpen, in emergencies. Luckily the SF Giants have a full complement of healthy outfielders, like Austin Slater Michael Conforto Mitch Haniger Mike Yastrzemski. They'll be fine for three months. Maybe.