© Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Buster Posey earned his sixth MLB All-Star Game nod Sunday night when he was announced as a reserve for the 2018 rendition. The Giants catcher will not play in next Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic due to right hip inflammation, however, Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters before Monday’s game against the visiting Chicago Cubs.
“It’s flared up on him, and he missed some time because of it not too long ago and our hope is to make it through this week and then we can give him this injection,” Bochy said. “Hopefully four days off will get this thing cleared up.”
Last month, Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper told KNBR that Posey’s hip issues will likely bother him throughout the rest of his career. Out of the 17 games Posey has missed this season, he has sat out consecutive contests only twice, which speaks to the nagging nature of the injury.
“All of you can tell that it’s been bothering him,” Bochy said. “He’s been a warrior through this and he had missed some time earlier.”
Posey has endured persistent hip issues as his career has progressed into his 10th season, evidenced in his gradual power decline. After Posey hit 24 home runs in his National League MVP-winning season in 2012, he has reached the 20-homer plateau just once, when he hit 22 homers in 2014. He hit 19, 14, and 12 homers in the following three seasons. In 78 games played this year, Posey has launched only five home runs, which ranks ninth on the team.
“This game is hard enough, as I always say, when you’re healthy, and it’s the right hip, too,” Bochy said. “When you can’t quite get it to fire like you normally do, sure it’s going to affect your hitting and your throwing, all facets of the game.”
Nonetheless, Posey has produced another solid season from the plate, slashing .285/.367/.412 to warrant another All-Star Game nod.