Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Austin Slater’s swing looks “right where it left off.”
That’s the report from Gabe Kapler, who placed the 27-year-old at the top of his lineup Saturday in his first game since being diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow.
Slater will be the designated hitter, a slot he should probably get used to for a while. Slater has not thrown since being scratched from Wednesday’s lineup.
Kapler said there is no timetable yet for Slater to begin throwing as he recovers from an injury that sometimes prompts Tommy John surgery in pitchers. Outfielders, who might have to unleash a hard throw once a game, can more easily manage flexor strains.
Kapler watched Slater go through his pregame workout, taking swings off hitting coach Justin Viele.
“That gave us confidence, and he gave us confidence to put him right back in the lineup at DH,” Kapler said before the Giants’ second game against the A’s at Oracle Park.
The NL accepting the DH has given the Giants a way to get their hottest bat (.342/.444/.632) in the lineup. Kapler sees the appeal of a rule baseball purists detest — today, at least.
“Today I really like it,” Kapler said of the DH. “And there are some days when I wish we had it the other way.”
Kapler said Sam Coonrod (grade 1 right lat strain) will head to Sacramento and begin ramping up. Live bullpen sessions and sim games will be in order before his return.
The Giants’ righty-heavy lineup against Oakland lefty Sean Manaea has plenty of pop and very little defense. The Giants lead the majors in errors, and an infield that involves Donovan Solano and Wilmer Flores and an outfield that includes Hunter Pence in right and Darin Ruf in left will be curious to watch.
Here’s the lineup behind Kevin Gausman:
1. Austin Slater, DH
2. Donovan Solano, 2B
3. Mike Yastrzemski, CF
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Wilmer Flores, 1B
6. Hunter Pence, RF
7. Darin Ruf, LF
8. Chadwick Tromp, C
9. Mauricio Dubon, SS