Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — The Giants are not sure yet how long they will be without Darin Ruf, but it will be a minimum of 10 days.
San Francisco moved the first baseman — who was stepping into plenty of playing time with Brandon Belt already sidelined — on the injured list Thursday as they awaited MRI results.
LaMonte Wade Jr., who can play first, was called up with the corresponding move and would be available off the bench at Dodger Stadium, Gabe Kapler said. Jason Vosler, Wednesday’s hero, was starting at first and batting eighth against a team that was starting David Price but planning a bullpen game.
Wade had not been playing first at Triple-A Sacramento, but Kapler said he’s “plenty athletic” and can see time at the position. Otherwise, the Giants might be relying upon Vosler and a host of other possibilities — which do not include Buster Posey.
“We’re probably going to stay the course with Buster,” Kapler said of his catcher, who has a rekindled bat but whom the Giants are careful not to overwork. “I’m not saying it’s ever going to be out of the question — we always keep everything on the table.”
Perhaps Austin Slater joins that table, and Curt Casali is able to man first as well.
At least until Wilmer Flores returns, which Kapler said could be Saturday. That would be the first day the infielder, whose best position is probably first but has been out with a right hamstring strain, can be activated from the IL.
If the Giants’ timetable is accurate, Belt is 9-13 days away from a return. Tommy La Stella is out until at least July. Ruf is 10 days away at least, pending the results of the MRI. Flores’ return would be helpful for a position that looked awfully deep before injury after injury struck.