With six regulars already stuffed on the Giants’ disabled list, a seventh might soon join them. Joe Panik was scratched out of Tuesday’s lineup with concussion symptoms, likely stemming from getting hit in the head in Tampa Bay on June 18. He’ll be evaluated today and the Giants will know more about a roster decision on Wednesday.
Manager Bruce Bochy was adamant that Panik passed three days’ worth of concussion tests after being hit, but reported feeling “a little something” to trainers today. It’s surprising not only how late the concussion symptoms came on, but how well Panik’s performed since being hit. On the Giants last road trip he notched four game-winning RBI, not including this hit by pitch.
“He took a pretty good shot there,” Bochy said, addressing reporters before Tuesday’s game.
With Panik out of the lineup, Angel Pagan moves up to the No. 2 spot. Conor Gillaspie will play third base and move Ramiro Peña to second. Very quietly, Peña has turned into quite an asset. He’s played shortstop, third base and second base in only a handful of games. That rounds out the Giants’ (49-29) new lineup against the A’s (33-43), with Albert Suarez (3-1, 3.68 ERA) starting against Kendall Graveman (3-6, 4.68 ERA) at 7:15 p.m. Lineups are below.
Checking in on the other injured regulars, Bochy expects Matt Duffy to be in a boot for another five days. Duffy said he hit off a tee Tuesday after unsuccessfully doing so on Monday. The third baseman said he feels no pain in his left Achilles, he’s just at a point is his rehab where he needs to strengthen the muscle. In the mean time he was playing catch on the field with his left boot strapped on, trying to keep his arm and wrists strong while taking pressure off his foot. He doesn’t know yet if he’ll go on a minor league assignment.
Conversely, Matt Cain will make a minor league start. After throwing a bullpen on Tuesday, he’s scheduled to start on Friday with the Giants’ Arizona Rookie League team. Bochy said the right-hander will make another rehab start afterward, penciling him in for a major league return after the All-Star break.
Today’s morsel: Interesting gem in the game notes today. Giants starting pitchers have thrown first-pitch strikes to 65.3 percent of hitters, the highest mark in the major leagues this season. That certainly offers a different lens to view the starting staff’s success this year. Giants starters have thrown the most innings in the NL this year, and their 3.53 ERA is fourth-best in the league.
Rosters were announced for the All-Star Futures game today, and the Giants will be represented by pitchers Phil Bickford (U.S. Team) and Adalberto Mejia (World Team). Bickford (first round, 2014) is one of 14 first-round picks on the U.S. Team, and he’s made two starts since getting promoted to Single-A San Jose. In 13 total starts across Low-A and Single-A, he’s 4-4 with a 2.54 ERA, striking out 89 batters in 71 innings. Mejia (signed as international free agent) was recently promoted from Double-A to Triple-A Sacramento, and has allowed five runs in 13.1 innings (two starts) with the Rivercats.
Both pitchers are highly valued within the Giants’ system, and will likely come up in trade discussions. The Giants tend to be pretty conservative with shipping away valued prospects, Zack Wheeler notwithstanding. Mejia’s much closer to a big league debut than Bickford given his recent promotion, but both will be in San Deigo on July 10 for the Futures Game
Giants lineup vs. Kendall Graveman
Official new lineup has yet to be announced.
CF – Denard Span (Never faced Graveman)
LF – Angel Pagan (1-for-1, BB)
1B – Brandon Belt (1-for-1)
C – Buster Posey (2-for-2)
SS – Brandon Crawford (1-for-1)
RF – Mac Williamson (Never faced Graveman)
2B – Ramiro Peña (Never faced Graveman)
3B – Conor Gillaspie (Never faced Graveman)
RHP – Albert Suarez (Never faced Graveman)
A’s lineup vs. Albert Suarez
CF – Coco Crisp (S)
2B – Jed Lowrie (S)
RF – Josh Reddick (L)
3B – Danny Valencia
LF – Khris Davis
C – Stephen Vogt (L)
SS – Marcus Semien
1B – Yonder Alonso (L)
RHP – Kendall Graveman