Outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr., who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday with left knee inflammation, was diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise.
Wade dealt with a left knee injury this spring that delayed his season debut until May 6. He played 10 games for the Giants after returning, hitting .240 with a home run. But pain flared up in the same knee this week.
“Very frustrating,” Wade told reporters Friday. “Very frustrating.”
Luis González, who is leading the Giants in batting average and OPS, was recalled from Triple-A to replace Wade in the outfield. He’ll start in right field and hit ninth on Friday.
For Wade though, a re-injury is of concern. An initial MRI from the March injury revealed inflammation and bone bruising, just like this current one did. But the 28-year-old outfielder said the pain that has flared up now isn’t as bad as it was in the spring.
Wade consulted Dr. Kenneth Akizuki for that MRI and will see another specialist on Monday for more information, he said.
The 2021 Willie Mac Award winner couldn’t pinpoint exactly when his knee flared up, but the discomfort started last Monday in Colorado. Kapler said he felt something running from first to second. He exited that game in the seventh inning, didn’t play the next day, then appeared as a pinch-hitter for one at-bat in the ninth inning during Wednesday’s series finale.
“I feel for LaMonte,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “He’s worked so hard to get back and is off to a good start. Swinging the bat really well, seeing the ball really well. It’s tough when your body’s not cooperating with you.”
Wade’s injured list stint is retroactive to May 19, meaning he could return on May 29 at the earliest.
