Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants have a brief rotation question but a more assured catcher situation.
Sammy Long went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to July 4, with a low back strain, and the Giants called up Chadwick Tromp for the start of a three-game series against the Cardinals at Oracle Park.
Tromp represents more depth at catcher after Buster Posey was forced out of Sunday’s game with a left thumb contusion and was expected to see Dr. Ken Akizuki on Monday.
With Long down, the Giants could go with a four-man rotation before the All-Star break; Thursday is an off day, so they could bring Anthony DeSclafani back on normal rest Friday, move Kevin Gausman up to Saturday and have Johnny Cueto pitch Sunday before the break commences. If that is their move, it would free up Gausman to pitch in an All-Star Game he has earned admission to.
In the minutes after the club made the move, though, Gabe Kapler did not want to hint at what the rotation would look like in the next week. He was not sure how much time Long would miss, saying the lefty’s back tightened up as he exited his start Saturday.
The Giants have not moved Posey to the injured list, X-rays on his thumb coming back negative. Kapler said the star catcher is “sore,” and Tromp can ensure the Giants don’t rush him back. Curt Casali was set to catch Gausman on Monday.
Tromp, who has been up and down plenty this year, has gone 4-for-9 with a home run in three games.