Injuries & Moves: Stripling exits with back tightness
LATEST NEWS
May 17: RHP Ross Stripling exits with low back tightness
Stripling walked off the field with head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner after back tightness cut short his start in the Giants' 7-4 win over the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon. Stripling opened his outing with three scoreless innings, but he was removed after surrendering a two-run double to J.T. Realmuto with one out in the fourth. Stripling was replaced by left-hander Sean Manaea, who gave up a sacrifice fly before surrendering a game-tying homer to Bryson Stott in the fifth.
Stripling, who has recorded a 7.24 ERA through nine appearances this year, was due to undergo an MRI exam after the game to determine the severity of the injury.
"I didn’t notice that there was anything wrong physically with him, but [pitching coach Andrew Bailey] felt like it was a good idea to make a mound visit," manager Gabe Kapler said. "He obviously went out there, noticed the stiffness and got him out of there."
May 17: RHP Luke Jackson to continue rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento
Jackson, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, is expected to make his next two rehab appearances with the River Cats at Reno this week. The 31-year-old veteran worked a scoreless inning in his first rehab appearance with Single-A San Jose on Sunday and will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list as soon as May 29.
"He’s a pretty dangerous right-handed reliever," manager Gabe Kapler said. "A short guy that I think our bullpen could use. I’m excited to have him back when he’s ready."
INJURY UPDATES
10-day IL
DH Joc Pederson (right hand contusion)
Expected return: Late May
Pederson endured an injury scare in the eighth inning of the Giants' 7-5 loss to the D-backs on May 12 after taking a 94 mph pitch off his right hand while squaring to bunt against Arizona reliever Scott McGough. The Giants initially feared Pederson had suffered a fracture, but postgame X-rays came back negative. Still, Pederson experienced lingering soreness in the hand, prompting the Giants to place him on the 10-day injured list on May 15 (retroactive to May 13). (Last updated: May 17)
OF Austin Slater (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Late May
Slater departed the Giants' 11-6 loss to the Nationals on May 10 with left hamstring tightness while running out a grounder. An MRI exam revealed a Grade 1 strain, prompting the Giants to place him on the 10-day injured list the following day. Slater is continuing to rehab and is scheduled to begin his running progression next week. (Last updated: May 15)
60-day IL
RHP Luke Jackson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: June
Jackson missed the entire 2022 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery before signing a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Giants in January. He began a rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose on May 14, working a scoreless inning on nine pitches while sitting at 95 mph with his fastball.
Jackson shifted his rehab assignment to Triple-A Sacramento on May 17 and was scheduled to make two appearances during the River Cats' six-game series at Reno. He will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list as soon as May 29. (Last updated: May 17)
OF Luis González (low back surgery)
Expected return: Second half
The Giants announced that González underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back on March 14, performed by Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old outfielder will likely miss at least half of this season, but the Giants are hopeful he’ll be able to return before the end of the year. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 30.
González showed encouraging progress during a checkup with Watkins in early May and is continuing with his rehab program. (Last updated: May 5)
C Roberto Pérez (right rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: 2024
Pérez will miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair the rotator cuff in his right shoulder in Los Angeles on April 12. The veteran backstop started five of the Giants' first seven games behind the plate, but he exited the club's April 7 loss to the Royals after hurting his shoulder while attempting to throw out Kyle Isbel in the sixth inning. The 34-year-old returned to San Francisco on April 14 to begin his rehab program. (Last updated: April 14)
LHP Thomas Szapucki (left arm neuropathy)
Expected return: TBD
Szapucki, who has been shut down from throwing since late February due to elbow soreness, was evaluated by Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis on March 23, but the Giants still haven’t found a clear diagnosis for his nerve issue. Szapucki hasn't pitched since Feb. 26, when he allowed three runs over one-third of an inning in his spring debut against the Reds. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 30. (Last updated: March 30)