LOS ANGELES — Injured Giants third baseman Matt Chapman said Friday he will wear a splint on his right hand for one more week, then potentially begin rehab exercises next week.
Chapman visited Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles on Friday after being placed on the 10-day injured list on June 10 (retroactive to June 9) with right-hand inflammation, saying Shin was “pleasantly surprised” with how fast he was healing.
The Giants haven’t provided an official timeline on Chapman’s return, but Chapman estimated he will be ready to return in three to four weeks. Casey Schmitt is replacing Chapman at third base for the time being.
“It’s really hard to put a timeline on it, but I’m going to do everything I possibly can to come back as fast as I can,” Chapman said. “Good news that I get to start trying stuff in a week. We just have to follow and see how my symptoms are.
“At the same time, I want to be smart so that when I do come back, I’m going to be able to be productive for the team and … not come out of the lineup because I tried to rush coming back.”
Added manager Bob Melvin: “Until he actually starts baseball activity, it’s really hard to forecast that. I’m not going to argue with him. I’m telling you, he’s always going to try to be as optimistic as he can.”
Chapman, who leads all Giants position players in WAR, injured his right hand when sliding back to first base this past Sunday at Oracle Park against the Atlanta Braves. He’s currently able to do lower body exercises without restrictions, as well as upper body exercises, as long as he’s not gripping with his right hand.
“The tears are there,” Chapman said. “Those are going to take some time to heal. But as far as strength and stability go, he was pleased with that.”
The Giants’ training staff gave Chapman a Game Ready Ice Machine to help aid in his recovery.
“I pretty much sleep in that thing,” Chapman said.
With Chapman on the injured list for the next couple of weeks, Schmitt will continue to hold down the hot corner, and he played a key role in the Giants’ two wins against the Rockies in Denver earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Schmitt hit a solo home run to kick off the ninth inning, sparking San Francisco’s four-run rally. The following day, Schmitt drew a walk with the bases loaded in the eighth inning as the Giants mounted another comeback win.
Schmitt, though, committed a costly error in the bottom of the ninth inning in the Giants’ 8-7 loss to the Rockies on Thursday, as he bobbled a potential game-ending double play ball. Two batters later, the Rockies’ Orlando Arcia hit a walk-off, two-run single to deny the Giants a sweep.
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Schmitt is 5-for-12 (.417) with one home run, two walks and three RBIs since taking over for Chapman, who encouraged him following Thursday’s costly error.
“It sucks it happened in the last inning and then we’re not able to win the game, but he’s been swinging the bat great, he’s been taking great at-bats, he has made some good plays,” Chapman said. “For me, it’s just keep telling him to keep going forward and keep going because he’s going to be in there for … at least another three or four weeks playing third base.
“This is just reps and experience that he can use to help contribute. We need him. He’s going to be a big part of our team even when I come back. I think this is a good experience for him.”
Verlander to throw another bullpen
Right-hander Justin Verlander, currently on the 15-day injured list due to right pectoral soreness, is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, per Melvin.
Melvin said that if everything goes well, there’s a “good chance” that the team will schedule him for a game.
“We’re trying to take this thing … day by day with him,” Melvin said.
Verlander, 42, hasn’t pitched in a game since May 18 against the Athletics. Over 10 starts, Verlander has a 4.33 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 52 innings.
Giants arrive in Los Angeles as city faces national spotlight
The Giants arrive in Los Angeles with the city in the national spotlight due to protests in response to raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Dodger Stadium is about two miles from downtown Los Angeles, and more protests are scheduled for this weekend in the city and across the country.
“Unfortunately, it’s going on here, and I think everybody’s got heavy hearts for what’s going on, but for us, it’s about our job here,” Melvin said. “It’s more kind of hotel, (then) ballpark, than maybe in the past.”