Jul 30, 2020
The San Francisco Giants haven't made anything official, but manager Gabe Kapler sounded optimistic that a pair of starting infielders would return to the lineup Thursday.
The Giants have missed third baseman Evan Longoria and first baseman Brandon Belt so far, but both players are expected to make their 2020 debuts against Dinelson Lamet and the San Diego Padres.
It was natural for the Giants to be concerned as to how their offense would fare without two middle-of-the-order bats, but six games into the season, the club has displayed impressive resiliency and hopes to welcome Longoria and Belt back following a stunning four-run comeback win over the Padres.
Donovan Solano yanked a game-tying three-run home run to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning before outfielder Mike Yastrzemski pulled his second home run of the night into McCovey Cove to seal a 7-6 walk-off win on Wednesday.
Solano, Yastrzemski and a handful of other players have kept the Giants afloat with a 3-3 record, giving the team a chance to capitalize on the return of two veterans.
Longoria was one of the team's top hitters during summer workouts before a moderate right oblique strain sidelined him in the final week leading up to Opening Night. Belt never had a chance to get going at the plate as he dealt with a right heel injury for much of summer camp, but Kapler expects the Giants will receive a boost from having a pair of veteran hitters back in a lineup that has struggled against right-handed pitchers.
When asked about Longoria and Belt potentially debuting together, Kapler said it will give the Giants much-needed depth and improve the defensive capabilities of an infield that has struggled so far.
The Giants entered Wednesday's game against the Padres with an MLB-worst nine errors as several players including Wilmer Flores and Solano have been asked to play out of their natural positions. Kapler wants Solano to play against left-handed pitchers and take down most of his reps at second base while he prefers for Flores to play first, making him a platoon partner for the left-handed hitting Belt.
Heading into a series finale against the Padres, there's no question the Giants need more of a spark from their offense. Belt and Longoria will be counted on to provide it.