SAN FRANCISCO – Buster Posey’s trip to the seven-day concussion disabled list left a gaping hole in the middle of Bruce Bochy’s batting order, but the Giants manager says he expects the team to ride out the storm.
Bochy spoke to reporters before Wednesday’s tilt against the Arizona Diamondbacks and shot down the idea of tinkering with his lineup, despite Posey’s uncertain status and several players struggling out of the gate.
“Right now, no,” Bochy answered when asked if he’d considered changes once Posey’s DL trip was made official. “It’s still early. The guys we have, I know that they haven’t gotten off to a great start, but we’re staying behind them.”
That means more playing time for outfielders Jarrett Parker, Chris Marrero and Gorkys Hernandez, who entered Wednesday a combined 4-for-46 (.086) at the plate. Bochy indicated that he was optimistic about those struggles dissipating.
“Power guys like Parker and Marrero…you hate to have such a small sample size and then stop playing them,” the Giants skipper said. “They’re still going to be in the mix.”
It isn’t surprising for the Giants, or any team for that matter, to stand behind players when the season is still in its infancy. But what would the Giants’ options be if they wanted to shake things up?
Move Nuñez up in the order or out to left field
These are perhaps the most realistic potential changes, although Bochy told reporters the team was not considering either at this time. Putting Eduardo Nuñez in left would allow the Giants to keep their hottest hitter in the lineup while also substituting Connor Gillaspie or Aaron Hill at third. But Nuñez has made just two starts in the outfield in the past two seasons and hasn’t impressed in his brief career time there.
“I think our best defense is doing it the way we’re doing it,” Bochy said.
The Giants manager did acknowledge that he’s thought about moving Nuñez (.389/.421/.444 in 38 plate appearances to start the season) up in the order, but that a move in the near future isn’t likely.
“He’s really settled in nicely where he’s at,” Bochy said. “I’m going to leave it alone right now and keep him in the five, six hole.”
Call up Melvin Upton Jr.
The Giants made their signing of outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. to a minor league deal official on Wednesday. Upton is coming off a 20-home run season split between San Diego and Toronto and would add power to a lineup sorely needing it with Posey out. But he also strikes out at a high rate and has posted an on base percentage above .300 just once in the last five seasons.
Further, the chances of the Giants giving up on Parker or Marrero for a historically inconsistent player they are mostly unfamiliar with doesn’t seem likely. Bochy admitted he doesn’t know Upton but expressed interest in keeping him on file.
“He’s a good athlete,” Bochy said. “He can run. He’s got some pop and has had some big years offensively. He’s a guy with a lot of experience, definitely worth taking a look and seeing if he can help us.”
Wait for Mac and Morse
At the outset of spring training, Mac Williamson and Michael Morse were both in the conversation to make the Opening Day roster. Both options fizzled due to injury, Williamson a quad and Morse a hamstring. Both were given indefinite timetables, but neither injury appeared season-threatening. The Giants know both players very well and it could be one or both will slide in once healthy and if the incumbents continue to see their numbers shrink.
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