Freddy Sanchez might not be ready for Opening Day because of health concerns.
Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday night that Sanchez had a recent arthroscopic procedure. Bochy first told KNBR radio of Sanchez’s surgery.
Sanchez had left knee surgery late in the 2009 season.
Bochy said Sanchez might not be fully recovered by opening day.
I hate to say I told you so, but in my last post I worried out loud that:
Sanchez will be better than the group of second basemen that the Giants ran out in 2009, but he’s an injury risk in a playergroup that’s tended to age poorly.
Sanchez’s 2009 run with the Giants was a disappointing mess. He was acquired from the Pirates for Top-10 prospect Tim Alderson and was neither healthy enough to get in the lineup on a regular basis or solve the second base woes of the Giants. Sanchez ended up hitting a drab .284/.295/.324 while appearing in only 25 games for the Giants. Later on in the season, Sanchez publicly stated that when he was acquired by the Giants, he knew that he was going to need surgery because he was hurt. Yet, the Giants crack medical staff cleared the trade and Sanchez played about as well as a guy with knee and shoulder problems could have played. Which is to say badly.
The Giants do have some depth at 2B because of utility men extraordinaire, Mark DeRosa and Juan Uribe, but in order for the Giants to compete in 2010 they’ll need every bit of Sanchez’s talents. Listening to KNBR’s Hot Stove League Show last night (hosted by the great Jon Miller) Bruce Bochy was asked about Sanchez’s health. Bochy got slightly quiet and stated (paraphrasing) that Sanchez might have to take it slow in Spring Training and he might not be ready to go at the start of the year. Bochy is considered a player’s manager and usually tries to protect his guys and spin things in a positive light. His hesitation in regards to Sanchez’s health makes me question how healthy he will be next year. No one can predict health for an upcoming season, but Sanchez has been a player that’s been dinged up for quite some time and second basemen as a group, for whatever reason, usually slam into a wall in their early-30′s.
So, don’t be shocked if you see Jazz Hands standing at second base to start the year. How long he stands there will be another question entirely.
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In other news, the Giants have announced their 22 non-roster invites for Spring Training. The group is as follows:
The San Francisco Giants have extended non-roster invitations for Major League Spring Training to the following 22 players, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today: right-handed pitchers – Denny Bautista, Santiago Casilla, Rafael Cova, Steven Edlefsen, Eric Hacker, Osiris Matos, Tony Pena Jr., Felix Romero, Dan Turpen and Craig Whitaker; left-handed pitchers – Craig Clark and Clayton Tanner; catchers – Steve Holm, Johnny Monell, Hector Sanchez and Jackson Williams; infielders – Ehire Adrianza, Brandon Crawford, Nick Noonan; outfielders – Wendell Fairley, Roger Kieschnick and Thomas Neal.
A mix of prospects and players trying to find their way back onto a major league roster. I’ll be watching Neal, Crawford, Adrianza, and Roger-K.
Chris,
What do you think of Santiago Casilla? He had stretches of brilliance with the A’s, and could be a classic Giants rehab pitcher project in the making.
Hairball,
He’s a semi-interesting relief arm. Looks like he throws a fastball around 94 mph with a slider. His raw numbers actually remind me a little of Merkin Valdez. Good velocity, bad control (career BB/9 of 4.49). Career FIP of 4.70. He might get a look down the line because he throws hard, but I’m not seeing a ton of positives with him. He’ll probably go work in Fresno to start the year and he might end up in the bullpen at sometime in the upcoming season.
It’s a no-risk pick-up like most minor league deals.
I’m very interested to see what Neal and Kieschnick do. They are clearly the Giants’ best hope for power hitting corner OFs in the semi-near future.