The Giants were dealt some bad news on the injury front Monday.
Third baseman Evan Longoria needs to undergo surgery on his right index finger Tuesday and is expected to miss the start of the regular season, though a return timetable will be determined soon. Outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. had to exit Monday’s contest in the first inning after feeling some discomfort in his left knee while running the bases.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic joined 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” Tuesday to give his latest thoughts on the injuries and what it could mean for the Giants. Listen to the full interview above.
Longoria, 36, is expected to spend 10 days with his finger in a splint before being re-evaluated. Pavlovic said it’s hard to predict a comeback for Longoria, who was hit by a pitch on the digit last August and is still feeling lingering effects. As Pavlovic noted, the finger could affect Longoria's throws across the diamond.
“You think of anything on the hand and finger and you start getting concerned,” Pavlovic told hosts Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. “You think weeks or you think months. At the same time, I’ve covered guys who just take a finger off the bat or change the way they throw. … I would imagine we would get an update in the next day or two with maybe a firmer timetable.”
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Longoria might be in the twilight of his career, but Pavlovic said the Giants were hopeful he could come close to playing 130 or 140 games this season after being limited to just 81 last year due to shoulder/collarbone issues following a collision with Brandon Crawford. Pavlovic said to expect Wilmer Flores to get more playing time, but also a corresponding decline in defense on the hot corner.
“That really is the big drop off for me,” Pavlovic said. “Wilmer Flores is the guy who fills in first and foremost and it’s just not the same defensively. Wilmer – at this point of their careers – is probably a pretty similar hitter and someone they trust at the plate. Defensively, there’s a huge drop-off.”
As for Wade, Pavlovic said, “It didn’t sound too concerning. But again, you’re looking at Opening Day is next Friday. You start to get a little worried when guys come out of games.”
Opening Day is on April 8, when Logan Webb will get the nod against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park.
UPDATE: Reporters shared the latest news Tuesday, as Longoria and Wade will start the season on the Injured List.
