The Giants continue to suffer injuries to several of their most important players during the 2018 season. Most recently, Evan Longoria went down with a fractured metacarpal bone in his left hand Thursday against the Miami Marlins and is expected to miss several weeks.
However, the team’s best hitter is expected to return soon. Brandon Belt should be activated Saturday after suffering acute appendicitis and needing surgery to remove his appendix on June 1. Belt’s recovery timeline was originally three weeks, but he is feeling better ahead of schedule and is ready to return, according to Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group.
Belt could have been activated for Friday’s game, but the Giants opted for pitching help in the form of Pierce Johnson, who replaced Longoria on the roster. Johnson’s presence is expected to be a temporary respite for a pitching staff that had to contend with a 16-inning game Thursday.
Elsewhere, Jeff Samardzija made a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento Friday, and Johnny Cueto threw a bullpen at Dodger Stadium.