Scott Kazmir, who recorded one out in his start against the Diamondbacks Thursday, has hit the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain.
The injury will knock out Kazmir, 37, for two to three weeks, manager Gabe Kapler said. The veteran who returned to pitching after three years off and also competed in the Olympics this summer, likely won’t pitch again this season as the playoffs commence in less than a week.
In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled left-handed reliever Sammy Long from Triple-A Sacramento. Long can provide long relief in emergency situations, a role José Quintana — who was designated for assignment Thursday — filled occasionally.
The Giants used six relievers in the series-finale comeback win over the Diamondbacks after Kazmir tweaked his hamstring trying to cover first base, so if Anthony DeSclafani can’t provide length against the Padres, Long could get an opportunity as a fresh arm.
Kazmir appeared in five MLB games for the Giants in 2021, a remarkable feat for someone out of the game as long as he was. He went 1-0 with a 6.35 ERA with San Francisco, and also won a silver medal for Team USA in Tokyo.
Long, 11 years Kazmir’s junior, has been up-and-down at the big league level. He pitched 5.1 shutout innings in a start at Citi Field on Aug. 24, but then allowed six earned runs in 4.2 innings of middle relief five days later against the Braves.
Most recently, Long pitched 1.1 scoreless innings against the Padres on Sept. 16. He’s gone back and forth between San Francisco and Sacramento, where he’s amassed a 2.05 ERA.
Long adds some depth — and another southpaw — to a bullpen without closer Jake McGee and late-inning lefty Tony Watson.
McGee could’ve been activated Friday instead of recalling Long. Manager Gabe Kapler said there’s a “good chance” McGee returns this weekend.
When asked about whether it would be beneficial to get McGee reps before the playoffs begin, Kapler re-emphasized that the decision to hold him out is all about his health.
“I think we would all prefer that Jake enters the game when he’s 100% of himself. Whether that be in the next couple days or at a later date. I don’t think we can think about anything else besides protecting him and the club by not rushing him back.”
- Kris Bryant is not in the lineup to start the series against San Diego. He’s gone 3-for-20 (.150) in the last seven days with three singles. He also misplayed a line drive against the Diamondbacks, letting it drop over his head for a triple. Kapler said keeping him out of the lineup is due to a bit of everything — health, performance, and having good options elsewhere on the roster.
- Evan Longoria is also slumping, going 2-for-20 in the same weeklong stretch as Bryant. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Thursday’s win. Kapler said his at-bats still look confident and a few calls haven’t gone his way.
- Johnny Cueto, after making his first relief appearance the night prior, stayed loose by taking infield reps pregame — both at second and shortstop. At times it looked like he was mimicking Brandon Crawford at short. “Johnny just keeps things so light,” Kapler said.
