Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Austin Slater has begun throwing. Sort of.
The Giants outfielder was out of the lineup for a third straight game Tuesday after being diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He was the designated hitter Saturday but has not appeared in a game since.
Gabe Kapler has said Slater could serve as a pinch-hitter, yet he has remained on the bench. The Giants did not bring Steven Duggar on the flight to Anaheim on Sunday night, then asked the outfielder to drive the six hours from Sacramento the next day, Duggar arriving shortly before game time.
Kapler said the Giants are just being safe with Slater and insisted there has been no setback. The 27-year-old has begun doing Plyo ball work, which includes tossing.
“Everything has gone well,” Kapler said over Zoom before the matinee at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. “…I can tell you that everything has been planned, he’s been progressing nicely and we have had no setbacks. Everything is moving in the right direction with Slater. We just have to build him up and make sure that we do this step by step to keep him safe.”
Slater has not thrown a baseball since being scratched from Wednesday’s game, a day after he felt soreness both swinging and throwing. He went 0-for-3 with a walk as designated hitter Saturday. Without his glove, the Giants’ defense has suffered; a poor Hunter Pence route may have cost them a game, and Duggar’s summon came at the expense of a long reliever the Giants would prefer to carry.
Of course, the Giants’ offense has suffered, too, Slater one of the few Giants hitters who has emerged this season, slashing .317/.429/.585 in 49 plate appearances.
“He’s getting closer and closer to being able to play defense for us,” Kapler said.
The Giants’ lineup without Slater against Angels righty Dylan Bundy and behind Trevor Cahill:
1. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
2. Alex Dickerson, LF
3. Donovan Solano, 2B
4. Brandon Belt, 1B
5. Evan Longoria, 3B
6. Pablo Sandoval, DH
7. Brandon Crawford, SS
8. Tyler Heineman, C
9. Steven Duggar, CF
