Often times, a team’s depth can be tested early.
Injuries can somewhat derail a team’s plans and force them to improvise along the way.
Such is the case with the San Francisco Giants, who will begin the 2022 season without their third baseman, Evan Longoria.
Longoria tore a ligament in his right index finger, and he will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the damaged ligament.
NBC Sports analyst Alex Pavlovic says that Longoria’s prognosis will be determined when the surgery is complete, as no timetable has been set, but the expectation is that Longoria’s finger will be immobilized for at least the next 10 days.
The Giants say Evan Longoria will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair a ligament in his right index finger. His prognosis will be determined following surgery but the expectation is the finger will be immobilized for at least 10 days. A blow to a lineup that needs his RH bat.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 29, 2022
A Tough Break
This is a big blow for the Giants, who have a lefty-heavy lineup.
Without Longoria, they lose a big right-handed presence in the middle of their order.
San Francisco’s depth is being tested early.
Fortunately for the Giants, they have options.
They could always plug Wilmer Flores in at third base or even Jason Vosler.
The latter of those two options is a left-handed bat, however, and the Giants really need a right-handed bat, but if Flores plays third, they could potentially find an everyday spot for outfielder Darin Ruf, at least until Longoria comes back.
They also have Mauricio Dubon and Thairo Estrada they could potentially give more at-bats to.
Still, this is a tough blow for the Giants.
Longoria offers a veteran presence in the middle of their order, and they’ll certainly miss having that presence there.
But as long as the Giants play with the attitude of “next man up”, they should be able to find a solution to the problem.
Their lineup is still deep, consisting of Joc Pederson, Brandon Belt, Mike Yastrzemski, and Brandon Crawford.
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