SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 10: Starting pitcher Jakob Junis #34 of the San Francisco Giants leaves the field injured in the top of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on June 10, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
An MRI exam Saturday morning determined that San Francisco Giants starter Jakob Junis has a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which is likely to mean a lengthier injured list stint than hoped.
Junis, who suffered the injury in the middle of his delivery to the first batter of the sixth inning Friday, said that he did not feel much improved Saturday morning and called the injury “frustrating. Things like this happen, you can’t really control it, just try to get healthy and get back.”
With a Grade 2 strain, Junis probably will miss four to eight weeks, and he has been the Giants’ top starter the past month and a half, with a rotation-best 2.63 ERA. The team is likely to get pitcher Alex Cobb (neck) back a week from Sunday and Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) might be ready two days after that, but in the meantime, Sam Long might have to do double-duty as a bullpen-game starter, or the Giants could dip down to Triple-A Sacramento for Sean Hjelle.
“It’s definitely been tough,” Junis said. “It’s not easy dealing with all the injuries, it puts a lot of burden on the bullpen. That’s not easy for those guys, but hopefully moving forward we can get healthy and stay healthy. That’s going to be key for us. It’s a long season and it’s still pretty early so hopefully once we come back from these few injuries, we can make it to the finish line and give ourselves a chance.”
Ramos recalled: The Giants used Junis’ roster spot to call up outfielder Heliot Ramos, who was in the lineup Saturday batting third against Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw.
“I think sometimes it’s helpful to show a player what they can be before they are that player,” Kapler said. “I think there is a lot of value in Heliot coming to the ballpark against the Dodgers, seeing Clayton Kershaw and knowing that he’s the 3-hole hitter for the Giants. Today’s an opportunity for us to instill some confidence Heliot and get him excited about a big opportunity; he’s really good at bringing energy so we’re just giving him that chance.”
Ramos was batting .212 with six homers at Triple-A Sacramento but after a slow start to the season, he has picked up the pace this month, batting .276 with two homers in seven games.
The Giants had another surprise in the lineup, with new catcher Austin Wynns at DH; San Francisco stacked the lineup with as many right-handed hitters as possible against Kershaw and one option, third baseman Evan Longoria, was not in the lineup because of hamstring tightness. Kapler said he might be available off the bench.
Wynns was 2-for-2 in his one game with San Francisco, and Kapler noted that Wynns had walked more than he struck out at Triple-A with the Phillies. “Austin’s a nice fit for the lineup today,” he said.
Belt update: First baseman Brandon Belt went through an extensive workout on the field before the game and still might be an option Sunday as he returns from a knee injury. Kapler termed his recent work and energy level as “great.”
“We’re going to wait and see what our roster looks like after today, we clearly have a lot of work to get through today,” Kapler said. “Nothing’s off the table for tomorrow. We’ll see.”
source: San Francisco Chronicle
