© Stan Szeto | 2018 Jul 11
On Tuesday evening, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Giants catcher Buster Posey will likely undergo season-ending hip surgery, to repair an ailing hip that has bothered him all season. It has been no secret that Posey has been having hip issues — he did stay home for the All-Star Game to rest it after all — but Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow told Murph & Mac Wednesday that he’s surprised the story got out before the team could announce it.
“I’m surprised that this is getting out right now, I really am,” Krukow said. “Because the Giants organization is extremely tight lipped, from Dave Groeschner’s training room to Brian Sabean, Bobby Evans, they’re very tightlipped about this, and I’m a bit surprised that it gets out. Because to me now that it’s out it’s like alright let’s roll with it, because a labrum tear is the type of injury that’s going to take some time, and I know they want to get him back for next year.
“I think once they get back home and have an airplane flight, include Larry Baer and the front office into this decision, get everybody on the same page, I think they’re going to pull the trigger and get it done. At least I hope they do.”
Interestingly, Posey is in the lineup for Wednesday’s game vs. the Mets, but is expected to be shelved for the season in the coming days or weeks. Krukow said addressing the issue has been a long time coming, as Posey has not looked like himself at the plate for much of the season. Since his first full season in 2010, Posey is on pace for career lows in slugging (.386), OPS (.746), and home runs (5, not counting his injury shortened 2011).
“Nobody’s surprised with it,” Kruk said of the surgery. “He’s been playing hurt a long time and we’ve watched his foundation where he’s slapping the ball to right field and basically has lost his power. You know he went through a spell here the last couple weeks where it looked like it was a little better. He was at least some getting rotation on pitches that were inside. Like he says it’s day-to-day and it gets cranky.
“I fear when he gets into a 13-inning game, knowing that the thing’s not right, but now the opposition is taking advantage of it, they’re pitching him in. Because when your hips aren’t right you can’t spin on the inside pitch, and that’s always been one of the best things he’s been able to do. It’s always been one of his strengths, inside-out swing, middle-in, and I don’t care how hard you throw the ball in there he’s one of the best fastball hitters in the game, especially middle-in. But when your hips aren’t right I mean you’re kind of resigned to just sort of slap the ball the other way, which is where he’s been.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Krukow on Posey, start from the beginning.