SF Giants’ Crawford, Flores out of lineup for series finale vs. Diamondbacks
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Brandon Crawford will not play in the Giants’ series finale against the Diamondbacks on Thursday.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler stated that the 36-year-old shortstop was already being considered for a day off, and that a minor injury was the deciding factor.
“He got his pinky jammed on the slide into third base,” Kapler explained. “I don’t think it was anything significant, but it was just enough to tip the scales.” You don’t want to make things worse or have him playing catch-up.”
Crawford has been on a tear since returning from an 11-game injury absence. In his last 16 at-bats, he has five hits, including a home run and his 44th triple of the season (which resulted in the injured finger).
Crawford isn’t the only Giant who will be off today. Wilmer Flores, who is batting.305 and has a multi-hit game in seven of the team’s 17 games since the All-Star break, will also take a day off.
However, Kapler added that those two veterans could still have an impact on Thursday’s game.
“I’ll say this about Craw and Flo: we’re going to try to get them ready for that big moment off the bench,” Kapler said.
Highly-touted prospect Birdsong earns promotion
Hayden Birdsong, the Giants’ sixth-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft, was promoted to double-A Richmond after posting a 2.16 ERA with an amazing 15.1 SO9 in single-A San Jose after a stint in low-A ball.
The 6-4 righthander has thrown 77.2 innings across two levels and could be a bullpen option for the Giants down the stretch if he continues to dominate in the minors.
