While the San Francisco Giants appear likely to have slugger Brandon Belt available for the start of the season, outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. doesn’t have the injury gods on his side.
Belt is currently overcoming inflammation in his right knee, but Wade is having a hard time dealing with a similar problem in his left knee.
“Medical Update on LaMonte Wade Jr.: Wade underwent an MRI yesterday which revealed inflammation and bone bruising in his left knee. He was examined by Dr. Ken Akizuki and will rest for 10 days before being re-evaluated,” Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly tweeted on Tuesday.
Medical Update on LaMonte Wade Jr.:
Wade underwent an MRI yesterday which revealed inflammation and bone bruising in his left knee. He was examined by Dr. Ken Akizuki and will rest for 10 days before being re-evaluated.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 29, 2022
Wade Won’t Be Ready For Opening Day
In fact, he later confirmed, in a subsequent tweet, what everybody was already expecting: he won’t be ready in time for the Giants’ first series.
“The obvious takeaway: Wade will begin the season on the injured list,” Baggarly wrote.
Third baseman Evan Longoria suffered the same fate as Wade, as he will also open the season on the injured list.
Wade was a revelation for the Giants in 2021 and a product of the organization’s impressive player development staff.
The 2021 season was his first with the Giants after two years in Minnesota with the Twins.
Last year, Wade broke out with a .253/.326/.482 line, 18 home runs, 52 runs, 56 RBI, and even six steals for good measure.
His OPS was .808 and he played important innings in both outfield corners and first base.
His rise to relevancy was one of the Giants’ biggest storylines last year, and definitely one of the reasons they were able to hold off the Los Angeles Dodgers and win the NL West title against all odds.
He should be good to go after a couple of weeks, but won’t be ready for the opening series.
NEXT: Giants Manager Offers Update On Brandon Belt
