Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
SCOTTSDALE — A reminder that the world is not past the coronavirus has arrived at the Giants’ door, but they hope that door is locked.
Joey Votto, whom the Giants played Sunday, tested positive for the coronavirus, the Reds announced with his permission Wednesday.
The Cincinnati star played six innings against the Giants and reached base twice, with a single and double.
“Right now we’re going to continue to do our due diligence,” Gabe Kapler said after the 7-6 win over the Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. “Haven’t heard anything directly from the Reds, and our responsibility is to stay focused on our camp.”
It is not believed that a player such as Curt Casali — who caught for the Giants on Sunday and thus was naturally in Votto’s vicinity — qualifies as a close contact. Major League Baseball’s protocols mirror the CDC’s, which defines “close contact” as being within “6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset.”
If a Giants player is identified as having been a close contact of Votto’s, he would be subject to a mandatory quarantine of seven days and would have to test negative on the fifth or later after exposure before rejoining the team.
Outfielder Luis Basabe, who left Tuesday’s game in pain after diving for a fly ball, has a left wrist muscle sprain. Kapler did not have a timetable for his return, but the fact his wrist is not broken was welcomed.
Non-rostered utility man Jason Krizan, who pretty much plays everywhere, saved the exhibition game with a diving catch in left field to retire Chicago’s Brennen Davis with two on and two outs in the ninth. The 31-year-old Krizan, still seeking his MLB debut, also homered in the sixth.
Starting pitching prospect Sean Hjelle was sitting 95 mph with his fastball in his Cactus League debut. The 23-year-old allowed a single and a flyball that was caught at the warning track, but he escaped with no damage.
“It’s a tough at-bat for hitters because you don’t often see limbs that long,” Kapler said with a laugh, “and trying to pick the ball up from a location that you don’t normally see. So good, solid outing.”
Lefty Jarlin Garcia also debuted and surrendered some solid contact, but his velocity was touching 94 mph, which is encouraging.
“Jarlin came out and attacked the strike zone,” Kapler said over Zoom. “He was healthy, that’s No. 1. Ball was coming out good.”
Kevin Gausman‘s spring debut is coming Friday, against Colorado. Among the pitchers expected to follow him is Scott Kazmir, in his debut.
The last of the Giants’ projected rotation to debut will be Aaron Sanchez, who signed after camp had begun. He’s getting close. Kapler said the organization is debating whether to unroll him in a three-inning backfield game or put him into a Cactus League game “shortly.”
Starter Nick Tropeano, competing for a long-man spot and rotation insurance, had a good curveball working in the first but couldn’t escape his second inning, which was rolled.
After an exceedingly sloppy game Tuesday, Kapler was pleased with how the Giants responded. In particular, they executed a nice relay in the fourth, when Chicago’s Rafael Ortega doubled to right-center, and Jaylin Davis chased it to the wall and threw in to Brandon Crawford, who threw a strike to Buster Posey, who applied the tag. Kapler called the play “sensational.”
Speaking of Davis, he beat out a dribbler to third without even a throw. If his bat-to-ball skills develop, the speed he brings is legitimate.
Matt Duffy, now with the Cubs, was greeted with a “We miss you, Matt!” yell from one loud fan.