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The Kansas City Royals discussed a trade for Miami Marlins infielder Luis Arraez before he joined the San Diego Padres
The San Francisco Giants dropped their first game of the series on Saturday, falling 6-2 to the Baltimore Orioles to snap a three-game winning streak. Ten hits and little to show for it. The offense had the pieces but could not string them together when it counted.
Heading into Sunday’s series finale, the injury report added another layer of concern. Luis Arraez exited Saturday’s game in the fifth inning and will not be in the starting lineup, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Giants are already without some continuity heading into the rubber match. How they manage the lineup around these absences will be worth watching.
Arraez Out With Wrist Contusion
HeavySan Francisco Giants second baseman, Luis Arraez.
Arraez picked up a right wrist contusion during Saturday’s loss after an awkward play in the fourth inning. Orioles baserunner Dylan Beavers leapt to avoid a grounder and caught Arraez’s right hand with his foot on the way down. Arraez stayed in long enough to single in his next at-bat, but was replaced by Christian Koss in the bottom of the fifth and did not return.
With a team off day coming Monday, San Francisco appears content to give Arraez at least two days to recover before reassessing. Koss will pick up the start at second base Sunday in his place.
The timing is not ideal. Arraez had been one of the more reliable presences in the lineup through the early weeks of the season, hitting .304 before exiting Saturday’s game. He has also been a pleasant surprise defensively, rating above average at second base.
Vitello says Arraez could play today if needed but with a day off tomorrow he’s being targeted for Tuesday at Cincinnati.
Schmitt Back in Lineup, Bader Sits
GettyCasey Schmitt of the San Francisco Giants.
Casey Schmitt will return to the lineup Sunday as the designated hitter, batting cleanup. He has been working his way back from back tightness that has kept him out of the field, but has made steady progress at the plate in the meantime. Over his last three contests, Schmitt has doubled four times and added a base hit in 12 at-bats, including a three-double performance in Friday’s win over Baltimore.
Harrison Bader will sit for the second time in four games. The center fielder has struggled to find any consistency at the plate in his first season in San Francisco, slashing .115/.145/.192 across 55 plate appearances. Jung Hoo Lee will shift from right field to center in his absence.
Patrick Bailey will also get the day off, with Daniel Susac getting the call behind the plate. Bailey has started 13 of the Giants’ first 16 games, one of the heavier workloads among catchers in the league so far this season. A rest day was coming.
Final Word for the Giants
San Francisco dropped Saturday’s game but still has a chance to claim the series on Sunday. Adrian Houser takes the mound for the Giants as they look to bounce back.
The Arraez injury bears watching. Losing him for any extended period would hurt a lineup that is still finding its footing. For now, the Giants will manage with what they have and hope the wrist responds well over the off day Monday.
A series win is still on the table. Sunday will determine whether they take it.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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