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SCOTTSDALE — The velocity was down, and the control was gone. The Giants now hope whatever the cause was is minor.
Dedniel Nunez, who has impressed early in camp, experienced right wrist pain and will be getting that wrist examined after leaving Friday’s game early.
Gabe Kapler said it was “precautionary,” but his fastball velocity had dropped, and Nunez walked three straight in his frame before Kapler and a trainer visited the mound and removed the 24-year-old from the game.
Nunez, a Rule 5 pick, has shown a fastball that touches 97 mph and a slider that Curt Casali called “absolutely ridiculous.” The former Mets prospect has looked like a reliever who would break camp with the team and has had a chance to stick.
Rule 5 picks can be placed on the injured list but have to spend a minimum of 90 days on the active roster to ensure the drafting team holds onto the player.
More injury updates from Kapler after the 9-8, eight-inning victory over the Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium:
Outfielder Luis Basabe, who left a game after diving for a ball Tuesday, saw a hand specialist and has been diagnosed with a moderate wrist sprain. He is out 6-to-8 weeks and will be in a cast for two weeks.
Austin Slater (hamstring) returned to play and singled in his only at-bat. He came through “just fine,” Kapler said.
Brandon Belt (non-Covid illness), who took batting practice before the game, ran on the treadmill afterward. Kapler said everything went well.
It was a rough day for Sam Long, a non-roster invite who’s gotten a lot of buzz in camp. The Giants matched up the lefty against the heart of the Rockies, and the 25-year-old struggled with control, walking two. Both Trevor Story and Elias Diaz went deep in a four-run inning that was rolled.
The first three batters of the Giants’ second inning made solid contact, with hits by Evan Longoria and Brandon Crawford before Joe McCarthy had an RBI double. Tommy La Stella‘s sacrifice fly accounted for another run.
McCarthy, who’s played better recently, walked three times, which is part of why the Giants like him. Steven Duggar, who also has had better at-bats, went 1-for-2 with two walks.
Heliot Ramos‘ hot spring continued with a sixth-inning RBI single, and then he stole second. He later beat out an infield single and was thrown out at second when he overslid on a steal attempt. In right field, he let another fairly lazy flyball drop, although the outfield grass appeared slick after rain.