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Gabe Kapler announces tentative lineup for Giants’ spring training opener

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© Jayne Kamin-Oncea | 2020 Feb 18


We have Gabe Kapler’s first lineup card as Giants manager. Tentatively, at least.

Kapler told reporters in Scottsdale what the lineup should look like for Saturday’s Cactus League opener vs. the Dodgers, which will be started by right-hander Dereck Rodriguez.

Steve Duggar, CF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Brandon Belt, 1B
Buster Posey, C
Jaylin Davis, RF
Austin Slater, LF
Mauricio Dubon, SS
Donovan Solano, 2B
Darin Ruf, DH

Kapler also said that he expects Billy Hamilton, Chris Shaw, Joey Bart, Drew Robinson, Chadwick Tromp to make appearances in the game.

The most notable omission, Brandon Crawford, is out of the lineup due to illness. Kapler also stipulated that he’ll trot out an entirely different lineup on Sunday when the Giants play the A’s.

“Lineups are not designed in spring training to put people in the positions they’re going to be in during the season,” Kapler said. “Just an opportunity to get work in and get really good looks. You won’t see guys play back to back games through the first week.”

Ruf, who the Giants signed to a minor-league deal this offseason, is the only new face in the starting lineup. Ruf spent the last three seasons playing in South Korea, after playing for the Phillies as a 1B/LF for the better part of five seasons.