SAN FRANCISCO– The Giants currently have a slew of players on the disabled list, but a return for two of their main contributors appears to be coming sooner than later.
Joe Panik has been out with a concussion since August 13, when a ball caromed off his face as he was sliding into home plate against the Washington Nationals. Panik started doing cardio on Friday, and has made big strides in his progression.
“He’s doing real well, to the point where he’s going to do all the baseball activities out here,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said prior to Monday’s series opener against the Brewers.
Bochy added that Panik has a good chance of going to AAA Sacramento Tuesday or A San Jose Wednesday. To do so, Panik would have to come out of further tests in the training room with positive results.
Panik hopes that he can pick up where he left off with the bat. The Giants’ second-baseman was hitting .391 in the six games prior to when he suffered the concussion.
While Panik’s return appears to be around the corner, right-hander Johnny Cueto’s was delayed. The Giants’ starting pitcher was set to make a rehab start on Monday, but was scratched with an illness.
Cueto was, however, at AT&T Park playing catch and participating in batting practice. The 31-year-old has been on the disabled list for a little over a month and hasn’t started a game since July 14th due to blisters, and now forearm tightness.
Bochy said that the plan is for Cueto to start for AAA Sacramento on Tuesday.