The SF Giants will not have outfielder Austin Slater available on Opening Day, according to a report by Evan Webeck of the Bay Area News Group. Slater was diagnosed with a strained hamstring last week, but the team has not officially released a timetable for his return at this point. However, a source informed Webeck that Slater will be out for at least three weeks.
"After receiving an MRI on Friday that revealed a strained left hamstring, Slater was given a timeline of three to four weeks to return to play, sources said," wrote Webeck. "The timeline indicates a moderate strain and places his earliest possible return after the club’s opening road trip through New York and Chicago."
Slater only appeared in three games during spring training, and just once in the field. He was unable to take the field early in the spring due to an elbow injury and was just ramping up when he pulled his hamstring. He went 2-for-9 with a double, two walks, and four strikeouts.
With outfielder Luis González out for several months after undergoing back surgery and Mitch Haniger already sidelined by a Grade 1 oblique strain, the Giants outfield depth will be tested early in the season. Assuming Slater is on the injured list to start the season, Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol seems guaranteed to crack the Opening Day roster. This injury could also open the door for minor-league free-agent signing Stephen Piscotty or Bryce Johnson to make the team. Neither Piscotty nor Johnson are currently on the 40-man roster, so the Giants would need to make a corresponding move.
Slater has become an overlooked member of the team's core in large part because of his injury history. Slater had a breakout season in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, hitting .282/.408/.506 with five home runs and eight stolen bases in 31 games, but has never been able to replicate that level of production.
Slater is at his best against left-handed pitching. While his career .255/.345/.402 triple-slash is roughly league average, the Stanford product has a .285/.377/.469 line with 32 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs, 71 walks, and 139 strikeouts in 640 career plate appearances against southpaws.
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