Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Gabe Kapler called it “jumpiness.”
Shaun Anderson’s jumpiness sure made Mike Trout and Joe Maddon jumpy.
The Giants righty is struggling with command, a more-preferable reading of the two Trout at-bats in the past few days. On Tuesday, two fastballs headed for Trout’s head, the second of which drawing a gesture from Trout, who didn’t know if he was being targeted.
On Thursday, an Anderson fastball was far too high, although not entirely inside, but Trout ducked. Angels manager Joe Maddon started barking from the dugout, and both sides were warned.
After the game, Maddon told reporters there “is a level of accountability here,” suggesting Kapler should not have turned to a wild Anderson against his best player.
A day later, Kapler said he and Maddon have not talked.
“[Anderson] just hasn’t been able to control his fastball the way he would like. He’s working through it,” said Kapler, who wanted to move past the Angels series. “This is not uncommon for younger pitchers, and it’s not uncommon for pitchers period to go through periods of time where you don’t have your best command.”
Kapler said there was no intention from Anderson, who has not spoken to reporters this week. Given that he has 10 walks in 10 innings, his wildness is a safe bet.
Anderson, the former starter, has been inconsistent and allowed a run in each appearance against the Angels, raising his ERA to 5.40. As righty reliever Sam Coonrod draws closer to a return, his spot could soon be in jeopardy.
Speaking of Coonrod, some medical updates from the Giants:
— Coonrod (grade 1 right lat strain) will throw a simulated game in San Francisco today and will be evaluated over the next two days.
— Drew Smyly (left index finger sprain), who is throwing off flat ground, will be examined by doctors over the weekend. The Giants hope he can throw off a mound next week.
— Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder inflammation) is throwing out to 90 feet. He will be seen by team doctors over the weekend.
— Reyes Moronta (recovery from right shoulder surgery) is throwing bullpen sessions in Sacramento and working back into all baseball activity.
— Austin Slater (right elbow flexor strain) is throwing out to 110 feet and should return to the outfield in the next day or two.
Kapler opened his Zoom by complimenting recently acquired switch-hitting outfielder Luis Basabe, saying he’s put in a lot of work on his lefty swing. Kapler talks with farm director Kyle Haines each day.
“[Basabe has] done some good work in the outfield and then also Kyle was enthused about the base running,” Kapler said.
The Giants’ lineup behind Logan Webb and against lefty Robbie Ray:
1. Austin Slater, DH
2. Donovan Solano, 2B
3. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
4. Wilmer Flores, 1B
5. Evan Longoria, 3B
6. Hunter Pence, LF
7. Joey Bart, C
8. Brandon Crawford, SS
9. Mauricio Dubon, CF