Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants are back home and playing in front of fans again, but the absence of Evan Longoria is a reminder that the world is not fully past the coronavirus pandemic just yet.
Longoria is out of the starting lineup while experiencing some side effects from a vaccination; he got the one-shot Johnson & Johnson. Gabe Kapler checked with the third baseman about sharing the information, and Longoria gave him the go-ahead.
“We want him to be at his best,” the manager said before the Giants opened up their San Francisco schedule against the Rockies on Friday. “We’re going to try to get him ready to come into the game later.”
Longoria possibly being available off the bench is a positive sign for a player who has started off as hot as any Giant. He has hit three home runs in six games with a .400 on-base percentage and has looked more like a 25-year-old Longoria than a 35-year-old Longoria.
Facing Colorado lefty Austin Gomber, Longoria normally would be a shoo-in for the lineup; he has crushed southpaws and struggled against righties over the past few years. As he recovers, Wilmer Flores will get the start instead at third and is shaky defensively.
Longoria had shown a bit of hesitation about the vaccine and understandably wanted to research its effects first. He apparently was content with the shot that has varying and various side effects but has been shown to keep a person safe from COVID-19.
Kapler said the “majority” of the traveling party has at least had a first shot of a vaccine. If they reach 85 percent of traveling personnel who are fully vaccinated, they can relax many protocols.
Unless another injury arises, the Giants will have an Alex Wood decision to make soon.
The lefty made a start against the A’s alternate site Wednesday and is “progressing well,” Kapler said, as he builds up. He will have one more longer outing and then projects to be ready.
The Giants’ starting five has had a strong start to the season, no big hiccups between Kevin Gausman, Johnny Cueto, Logan Webb, Anthony DeSclafani and Aaron Sanchez. Kapler has said he could consider a six-man rotation if he has six capable starters.
Apart from Longoria, the Giants opted for a righty-heavy lineup for the home opener behind Johnny Cueto and against a lefty:
1. Austin Slater, LF
2. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
3. Donovan Solano, 2B
4. Darin Ruf, 1B
5. Wilmer Flores, 3B
6. Buster Posey, C
7. Mauricio Dubon, CF
8. Brandon Crawford, SS
9. Johnny Cueto, P
The pitching probables for the rest of the series:
Saturday: RHP Logan Webb vs. RHP Chi Chi González
Sunday: RHP Anthony DeSclafani vs. RHP Germán Márquez