Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
PHILADELPHIA — Amid all the July 31 transactions, could it be an Aug. 1 roster move that burns the Giants?
Alex Dickerson was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday before the Giants’ series finale against the Phillies. The left fielder has a “mild” oblique strain, Bruce Bochy said, after he was scratched Wednesday and sent for an MRI.
“He’s a little sore today. You’re looking at five to 10 days,” Bochy said at Citizens Bank Park. “So it just made sense to go ahead and see if we can get this cleared up.”
Dickerson has started just four games since July 17, in and out of the lineup as the oblique has flared. Last week, Dickerson insisted the setback was a result of his body having changed since he last played every day and needing a different stretching routine. He said the oblique issue was unrelated to the back surgery that cost him the entire 2017 season.
It’s a significant blow for a team already without Evan Longoria that just committed to contending this season by not dealing Madison Bumgarner or Will Smith.
To replace Dickerson, the Giants called up Sam Selman from Triple-A Sacramento. The lefty, who will make his major league debut at 28, has dominated the Pacific Coast League all season, and especially recently. He hasn’t given up an earned run in 15 1/3 innings, with 22 strikeouts and five walks in the span.
The Giants designated Dan Winkler for assignment to put Selman on the 40-man roster. The righty reliever was obtained from Atlanta in Wednesday’s Mark Melancon trade. Bochy said there’s a chance he stays in the organization, depending on whether the veteran clears waivers.
Bochy still didn’t have a return date, but he said Longoria is nearing a return. He’s been out since June 14 with plantar fasciitis.
“He’s close. He’s knocking on the door,” Bochy said. “He’s gotta check off the running, which he’ll do today, running curves. See how he comes out of that. Then we’ll huddle up and see what’s our target date with him.”
