The San Francisco Giants received unfortunate injury news from the third baseman, Evan Longoria, before the 2022 MLB regular even started. It probably looks like the Giants roster might be compromised, which is never the news a team would want to hear. On Monday, it was reported that Longoria will undergo surgery on Tuesday on his right index finger.
There is still no definite timeline for the three-time All-Star potential return. However, it may be safe to say that he would need time to fully recover.
Gabe Kapler said the expectation is Evan Longoria will miss six weeks after undergoing right index finger surgery.
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) March 30, 2022
Evan Longoria
Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic reported Longoria’s news on Tuesday.
“The Giants say Evan Longoria will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair a ligament in his right index finger. His prognosis will be determined following surgery but the expectation is the finger will be immobilized for at least 10 days. A blow to a lineup that needs his RH bat,” said Pavlovic.
On Wednesday, San Francisco general manager, Gabe Kapler, spoke to MLB reporter, Maria I. Guardado, and revealed that Longoria is expected to be sidelined until at least six weeks. That means that the three-time Gold Glove Award will return to the field in approximately mid-May. Longoria will also miss the spring training.
“It’s a challenge,” Kapler said. “It’s two of our core pieces. We were counting on Evan to be not just ready for Opening Day, but at his best. And LaMonte was off to such a good start in Spring Training. He feels really good about his timing. That timing is going to be disrupted.”
Previously, the baseman was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays on April 18, 2008. The contract that was signed was a six-year, $17,5 million with options for 2014 to 2016. His arbitration years were covered in the first six years, and another three more years were added by the team. His rookie year in 2008 was well spent, playing in 122 games hitting 448 at-bats and 27 home runs, as well as averaging .272.
In total, Longoria had spent nine years with the Rays. On July 10 of the same year, Longoria won the 2008 All-Star game American League Final Fan vote. Additionally, he also made an appearance in the 2008 World Series.
The Rays traded Longoria for cash considerations to the Giants on December 20, 2017. In his first year with the Giants in 2018, the former Rays played in 125 games. Averaging .244, he hit 480 at-bats, 51 runs, 117 hits, and 16 home runs. In the subsequent year, he played 129 games slashing 453 at-bats, 59 runs, and 115 hits, averaging .254. In the following years, Longoria’s average stats continuously increase.
It is a shame that he will need to miss six weeks of action due to the injury, although the injury was not his first time. While Longoria is sidelined, he will be replaced by utilityman Wilmer Flores.
Evan Longoria tells me one reason he has not been in games yet is he has a sore R index finger, lingering injury from getting hit by a pitch late last season. It just randomly flared up again recently, probably a bone bruise. He expects to be 100 percent ready to go for opener.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 25, 2022
Wilmer Flores
Infielder, Wilmer Flores, is not a stranger to third base. Having played more than 2500 at-bats, Flores averaged .267, making 332 runs and 727 hits throughout his career since 2013. He has played for the New York Mets from 2013 to 2018, the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019, and the Giants since 2020.
He was acquired by the Giants on February 4, 20202 in a two-year, $6 million contract that includes a third-year option. With the Giants, he has played in 194 games, hitting 587 at-bats, 87 runs, 155 hits, averaging .262 in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Hopefully, with the help of the 30-year-old, the Giants can win another World Series title.