It sounds like the Giants may have dodged a bullet.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said after Tuesday’s 12-10 win vs. the Atlanta Braves that he doesn’t expect Brandon Crawford to miss much time after a scary collision at home plate that led to the shortstop’s early exit in the fourth inning.
“We’re going to check him out,” Kapler said postgame. “We’re going to potentially get an MRI tomorrow, we just want to see how that knee is, but as of right now we think it might be a couple of days.”
The Giants have officially labeled Crawford’s injury as a left knee contusion. Crawford agreed with Kapler’s assessment that he’d miss a few days.
The awkward collision at home plate saw his right knee crunched and his left ankle twisted under Atlanta catcher Travis d’Arnaud.
The contact between the two was caused in large part by Crawford’s decision not to slide. Crawford said postgame he didn’t slide because he knew it would be the only way he would be safe.
Crawford’s foot made it under the bag before the tag, leading umpires to overturn the original call.
Still, the shortstop limped off the field and exited the game shortly after. Up until now, Crawford has played in 62 of the Giants’ 67 games this season.
Wilmer Flores replaced Crawford with Thairo Estrada moving to short. Estrada would be Crawford’s replacement if he’s forced to miss time.