PHOENIX — Bob Melvin found himself using the backup plan to the backup plan’s backup plan.
Wilmer Flores hasn’t regularly played third base in years. The Giants have limited Flores to designated hitter and first base after he dealt with a right knee issue last year, an ailment that required a season-ending Tenex procedure. But on Tuesday night, there was Flores playing third for the first time in over a year.
With a practice glove.
Amidst a flurry of injuries to Matt Chapman, Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss, starting Flores at third was suddenly one of the Giants’ only viable options. Over the next couple days, they’ll have to skate by with their healthy personnel.
“Sometimes, you gotta be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Flores said prior to Tuesday’s game.
San Francisco’s current options at third base are Flores and Brett Wisely. That situation is far from ideal, but the team only needs to to buy a couple days. Koss, the team’s third-string third baseman, won’t return until the second half but Chapman and Schmitt are on track to return to return by next week if all goes well.
Chapman, who hasn’t played since June 8, continues to progress from his right hand injury. The five-time Gold Glover will hit on the field on Thursday against velocity and could return during the Giants’ six-game home stand to conclude the first half.
“So far, so good with him,” Melvin said.
Schmitt, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday with left hand inflammation, received a cortisone shot and is feeling “significantly better” according to Melvin. Schmitt was healthy enough to be in the lineup on Saturday and Sunday before being scratched, so he may only miss the minimum amount of time and could return on July 7.
“He was in good spirits today and we’ll see where we are when we get home,” Melvin said.
In the meantime, Melvin will have to use who he has available.
On Tuesday, it was Flores. He’s played nearly 2000 innings at third over his 13-year major-league career but is long past his days of regularly playing the position, and Melvin made it clear that Flores will not play there every day.
On Wednesday, it was Wisely who got the starting nod at third base. Wisely has only played 22 innings at third in the minors but also has 381 innings at the position in the minors.
“I feel pretty comfortable,” Wisely said. “The way I look at it, it’s a place where I’m going to get ground balls. A ground ball isn’t anything new to me. The only thing that’s going to be different are the guys who are better bunters. You have to really protect against that with a lot of speed on (the Diamondbacks).
“With the pitch com in your ear, it’s a lot easier to be ready if there’s a sinker in or if they’re a slider and you think they’re going to pull a ball to third base. Having the pitch com and having a little bit of experience, it’s not going to be anything different.”
As far as Rafael Devers? President of baseball operations Buster Posey said it’s “on the table.” Melvin said last month that the team did not plan to play Devers at third base upon acquiring him from the Boston Red Sox, but that calculus has changed with Chapman, Schmitt and Koss all unavailable.
Before the Giants entertain that possibility, they’ll need Devers to fully recover from the ailments that have nagged him in recent days.
Devers has been dealing with a groin injury since arriving from Boston, and Melvin revealed yesterday that Devers has also been dealing with a back issue dating back to his time with the Red Sox.
The injuries are clearly impacting Devers’ mobility, but Melvin believes he’s improving. With Chapman and Schmitt on the cusp of returning, the Giants may not have to use Devers at third base at all.
“He’s not yet physically ready to play first, so third would be the same thing.” Melvin said. “Once he’s able to play in the field, he told me he’s open for anything.”
Ramos out of lineup due to being sick
Left fielder Heliot Ramos wasn’t in the lineup on Wednesday due to being sick.
Melvin said Ramos was feeling “really sick” yesterday but was feeling “a little bit better today.” Ramos will be available off the bench and Luis Matos will start in left field in his place.
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