Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
SCOTTSDALE — There is reason to believe the developments are precautionary, the main one being the Giants are repeatedly stating they are precautionary.
But when Buster Posey has a hip issue and a starting pitcher undergoes a procedure, alarm bells ring, even faintly.
Posey was scratched from Tuesday night’s lineup with “some right hip tightness” Gabe Kapler announced before the Giants hosted the Rangers at Scottsdale Stadium.
“It’s not something that we’re concerned about on a long-term basis,” the manager said of Posey, who underwent August 2018 hip surgery that has complicated his ensuing seasons, though he has said he feels healthy this spring after his opted-out year. “We think it’s going to be a couple of days. We may just take it through the off day [on Saturday] just to be cautious. But really want to stress that it’s not something that we’re concerned about.”
It will be worth watching all season. The Giants hope Alex Wood’s back issue will not be, but they will wait and see.
Wood, whom the Giants signed to a base $3 million pact this offseason, on Tuesday underwent an ablation procedure for nerves in his lower back, which destroys targeted, inflamed nerves. The procedure, done in Scottsdale, can provide lasting relief, which is the hope, but also can cause pain for about two weeks afterward.
For that reason, Kapler said he doesn’t view it as a final blow to Wood being ready to start the season. It will be a pain-tolerance issue in the days afterward.
Still, the lefty, who missed much of the 2019 season with a back injury, has thrown just three Cactus League innings. There are only two more weeks of camp, and his time is running out. It’s unlikely he can be fully built up, but perhaps he can be ready for 70 or 85 pitches in the first week of April. The Giants have a few long men competing for spots, including Scott Kazmir, Nick Tropeano and Shun Yamaguchi.
The Giants are lining up Johnny Cueto, Kevin Gausman and Anthony DeSclafani, in that order, to open the first series in Seattle. There are two off days within the first week, so the Giants could go with a four-man rotation. Kapler on Monday said Aaron Sanchez and Logan Webb are in “great position” to start the season in the Giants’ rotation.
And the Giants hope all of those starters will be able to throw to Posey.
Kapler did not have an update on righty Rule 5 pick Dedniel Nunez, who has a UCL sprain, which often leads to Tommy John surgery. The Giants are seeking a second opinion.