It has been more than three weeks since Brandon Belt was sent to the 10-day disabled list. After what was initially suspected to be a minor injury, Belt was discovered to have a bone bruise in his right knee. Yesterday was the first time Belt took the field in Sacramento, where he went 0-for-2 with the Triple-A River Cats.
But he won’t have to wait in Sacramento for long. According to manager Bruce Bochy, Belt will get three at-bats in Sacramento tonight and will be evaluated afterward. If all goes according to plan, Belt will be back with the Giants in Los Angeles for the second game of a three-game series against the team’s National League West Division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In Belt’s absence, Austin Slater, who is second in batting average on the team (.295) through 37 games, has received most of the starts at first base. Slater is a natural outfielder, but it is unclear whether he will slot back as a consistent starter in the outfield.
In other injury news, Jeff Samardzija, who has been sidelined since July 15 with right shoulder inflammation, is working his way back slowly. Samardzija may pitch a simulated game before he starts his rehab.
The Giants kick off a three-game series against the Dodgers starting tonight in Los Angeles.
