Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The big upside of Austin Slater’s diagnosis? He is not a pitcher.
Slater has a right elbow flexor strain, the Giants announced Friday after the outfielder underwent an MRI, which is an injury that can lead to Tommy John surgery, but is far less severe for position players.
Gabe Kapler said “it’s possible” Slater becomes the designated hitter in the next few days.
“A flexor strain for a position player is less daunting perhaps than for a pitcher because outfielders can monitor how often and how hard they throw,” Kapler said over Zoom before the Giants opened their series with the A’s at Oracle Park.
Slater, who has been the Giants’ best player this month and is slashing .342/.444/.632 on the season, took some swings Friday and “it sounds like it felt good,” Kapler reported.
Slater told the team Tuesday he had been feeling soreness in the elbow both swinging and throwing and was scratched from that day’s lineup.
While some pitchers have seen the injury lead to surgery, it’s easier to manage for players who only need to unleash a throw a few times per game, Kapler referencing managing Jay Bruce last year, the Phillies outfielder having nursed the same ailment.
Other injury updates from the Giants:
— Sam Coonrod (grade 1 right lat strain) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session in which he used all of his pitches and hit 95 mph.
“I don’t think he’s too far off at this point,” Kapler said.
— Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder inflammation) isn’t throwing and will be re-examined over the weekend.
— Reyes Moronta (recovery from right shoulder surgery) is throwing bullpen sessions.
Kapler said righty Jake Jewell, who was added to the player pool earlier Friday, is a candidate to help — as is every player in Sacramento.
“Let him get his feet underneath him, see what kind of condition he’s in, see what he can bring to the table and then reevaluate,” Kapler said.
Kapler shouted out righty reliever Sam Wolff, whose velocity has ticked up and is sitting 94-96 mph with his fastball.
Donovan Solano rejoined the lineup after missing two days with abdominal soreness.
The Giants’ lineup against lefty Jesus Luzardo (and not Frankie Montas, who was scratched):
1. Mike Yastrzemski, CF
2. Donovan Solano, 2B
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Wilmer Flores, 1B
5. Hunter Pence, RF
6. Darin Ruf, LF
7. Pablo Sandoval, DH
8. Chadwick Tromp, C
9. Mauricio Dubon, SS
P: Johnny Cueto.