Evan Longoria has been an offensive catalyst for the Giants in recent weeks, but the club won’t have him in the lineup for Monday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Giants released an initial lineup that included Longoria as the starter at third base, but scratched him an hour later after manager Gabe Kapler revealed he had sore right glute following Sunday’s game.
Kapler replaced Longoria with Pablo Sandoval, who has only appeared in one game at third base this season. Sandoval’s first start of the season at third base will come against D’backs right-hander Zac Gallen, who has pitched his way into NL Cy Young consideration with a 1.80 ERA through his first eight starts.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, 2019, Sandoval has been used almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter and first baseman, but Kapler has said Sandoval has remained in consideration for playing time at third base and hasn’t hinted at any concerns about his arm strength.
“Pablo has been working really hard just in case Longo needed a day at some point,” Kapler said. “He’s been working every day with Kai (Correa) making throws across the diamond and also in early work in anticipation of this so he’s prepared for it.”
With Longoria out, the Giants moved shortstop Brandon Crawford up from the seventh slot in the order to sixth a day after Crawford was held out of a 4-2 victory due to a sore hamstring.
The Giants are 7-2 in nine games against the D’backs this season and will have the chance to improve to .500 for the first time since they were 5-5 on August 2. In two games against Gallen this season, the Giants are 1-1 with two runs in 13 innings against the D’backs right-hander.
Abiatal Avelino released
The Giants announced Monday they have released Abiatal Avelino from the organization a few weeks after the 25-year-old infielder was designated for assignment.
Avelino was removed from the 40-man roster on Aug. 9 and after clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the Sacramento alternate site. The Giants now have a free space in their 60-man player pool and could use the spot to add right-handed reliever Reyes Moronta to the roster.
Moronta is on the 45-day injured list as he continues to recover from a 2019 shoulder surgery and has been throwing bullpens at the Sacramento alternate site. The Giants are hopeful Moronta could rejoin the bullpen before the end of the season as he was expected to throw his first live batting practice over the weekend.
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