© Neville E. Guard | 2021 Aug 17
Evan Longoria, who hasn’t played since getting hit in the hand by a pitch against the Mets on Aug. 18, has been activated from the injured list ahead of Friday’s series-opener against the Dodgers.
The third baseman isn’t in the starting lineup, but could be used as an option off the bench against left-handed starter David Price.
Before first pitch Thursday, Longoria fielded practice grounders in third base foul territory, corralling grounders from a machine infield coach Kai Correa fed.
Manager Gabe Kapler said he wants to ease Longoria back into it, but should be fully available and could start Saturday.
Longoria resumed hitting in the cage on Wednesday, and ramped up activity enough to return. Manager Gabe Kapler previously said he was waiting for Longoria’s assurance that he’s healthy and confident to play. Longoria gave Kapler the a-okay Thursday night, Kapler said.
The former Tampa Bay Rays infielder is hitting .289 with a .908 OPS and 10 home runs on the season, albeit in 53 games. He had previously been on the 60-day IL with a shoulder injury after colliding with shortstop Brandon Crawford earlier in the season.
Mauricio Dubón, who went 0-for-3 while hitting eighth for SF Thursday, was optioned back down to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Dubón also made a great snag in center field late in the 5-1 SF victory.
San Francisco’s infield depth has been tested this past week, after Donovan Solano tested positive for COVID-19, Tommy La Stella unavailable with a left side injury and Wilmer Flores hitting the IL with a hamstring strain.
Kapler also provided an optimistic update on Anthony DeSclafani, the Giants starter. He said the last couple days have been the best he felt in the past few weeks after suffering a right ankle injury. In his one start since returning from the IL, DeSclafani allowed three earned runs in three innings, exiting after 64 pitches.
Below is San Francisco’s full lineup to start the Dodgers series, with DeSclafani on the mound:
Darin Ruf – LF
Brandon Belt – 1B
Kris Bryant – 3B
LaMonte Wade Jr. – RF
Buster Posey – C
Brandon Crawford – SS
Thairo Estrada – 2B
Mike Yastrzemski – CF
Anthony DeSclafani – RHP