Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Gabe Kapler often refers to his infield “puzzle” that he must complete to fill out each game’s lineup.
For at least one day it contained a few fewer pieces, and Kapler cannot be thrilled about its increased simplicity.
Donovan Solano was moved to the 10-day injured list Thursday, the Giants’ best hitter and everyday second baseman out for a while. How long that while is for now is unknown; a lower-grade calf strain could put him out of action for a few weeks, while a higher grade could mean months.
Kapler did not have a timetable yet, but what his eyes told him was not great. Solano injured the calf while running from second to third Wednesday in Philadelphia.
“We’re still going through the initial examination period,” the manager said before the Giants opened a series with the Marlins at Oracle Park. “Last night he wasn’t great getting off the plane. I know that today he was feeling a little bit better.”
Against Miami lefty Daniel Castano, Tommy La Stella was set to get a rare start at second against a southpaw. He is just 0-for-3 against lefties this year, but has 40 plate appearances against righties. He is needed in part because of the other issues around the Giants’ infield.
If Brandon Belt were healthy, he likely would be at first instead of Wilmer Flores. Belt, who’s been slowed with quad tightness, underwent an MRI that found “no structural issues,” Kapler said. So he should not be gone long.
Mauricio Dubon, who had struggled to find playing time in center field because of his own struggles and Austin Slater proving he can handle that spot, might have started at second if he weren’t at shortstop. Brandon Crawford was pulled in the late innings Wednesday with what Kapler said is tightness at the “upper part of his rib cage.”
This, too, is not believed to be serious, and Kapler said Crawford may be available off the bench. The lefty hitter is 1-for-17 against lefties this year, so he might not have started anyway.
While second base is their deepest position, and its depth enabled the Giants to call up righty Gregory Santos rather than shoring up their infield, injuries forced them to play three second basemen at first, second and short on Thursday.
The full lineup behind Aaron Sanchez:
1. Austin Slater, CF
2. Wilmer Flores, 1B
3. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Darin Ruf, LF
6. Curt Casali, C
7. Tommy La Stella, 2B
8. Mauricio Dubon, SS
9. Aaron Sanchez, P