SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants built up the winningest May in baseball with a fully-stocked lineup and stellar starting pitching. They won 21 games and a measuring-stick series against the Cubs.
But now the Giants face another set of challenges with the Dodgers and Red Sox coming to AT&T Park, unable to start Hunter Pence or Angel Pagan in the outfield, Matt Cain on the mound, and at least for the next couple days, Buster Posey behind the plate.
The Giants backstop is out Tuesday night with an irritated nerve in his right thumb, an injury he said built up over time. Trevor Brown found out about 45 minutes before batting practice that he’ll be catching Albert Suarez (1-1, 3.18 ERA) against Rick Porcello (7-2, 4.00 ERA) and the Red Sox (33-24), baseball’s highest scoring offense.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Posey is day-to-day, and will likely have Wednesday off to give him five days of rest before potentially starting Friday. The injury has likely sagged Posey’s power numbers, Bochy said, but he’s impressed with Posey’s ability to maintain his hard contact rate.
“Buster’s right up there in terms of making the most consistent hard contact of any hitter in the majors,” Bochy said. “That’s been there. (His injury) may affect some power, obviously it will. If that hand’s not quite right, you’re going to lose some power.
“That’s why it’s amazing what he does behind the plate. Catchers get beat up, their hands and legs get tired. The numbers that he’s put up back there make it even more impressive because of some things you have to deal with.”
He is available to pinch-hit Bochy said, and Posey said he’s able to make throws. The Giants manager is dealing with his own ailment, featuring a swollen right cheek after having a wisdom tooth pulled. Bochy’s only the start of a laundry list of injury updates:
-Angel Pagan was running the bases and getting outfield work with Giants trainers this afternoon. He could start his rehab assignment as soon as Monday, with that possibly coming a few days earlier or later.
-Sergio Romo threw from 75 feet today. The right-hander had a setback in his rehab from a strained flexor tendon. He felt soreness and fatigue in his right elbow last week, and backed off his minor-league assignment to rest. He’ll gradually have to build his arm back up again.
-Matt Cain will throw to hitters on Wednesday, and could potentially start for the Giants on Monday without making a minor-league rehab start. He’s been on the 15-day DL since pulling his right hamstring against the Rockies on May 27.
-Hunter Pence’s right hamstring surgery is set for Thursday.
Giants lineup and against Rick Porcello
CF – Denard Span
2B – Joe Panik
3B – Matt Duffy
1B – Brandon Belt
SS – Brandon Crawford
RF – Gregor Blanco
LF – Jarrett Parker
C- Trevor Brown
RHP – Albert Suarez
Red Sox lineup against Albert Suarez
RF – Mookie Betts
2B – Dustin Pedroia
SS – Xander Bogaerts
3B – Travis Shaw
1B – Hanley Ramirez
CF – Jackie Bradley Jr.
LF – Chris Young
C – Christian Vazquez
RHP – Rick Porcello
