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Giants reliever and outfielder begin milb rehab assignment

Originally posted on FanNation Giants Baseball Insider
By Marc Delucchi | Last updated 7/18/23

A pair of SF Giants veterans began minor-league rehab assignments with the organization's Arizona Complex League Orange affiliate on Monday. Right-handed pitcher Luke Jackson started for the Orange, walking one and striking out a pair of opposing hitters across one shutout inning of work. Outfielder Luis González started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a double and a strikeout before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning (the Giants routinely have rehabbing position players only play five innings in their first game back from an injury in the minors).

Jackson's stint in Arizona will likely be much shorter than González's. Jackson was placed on the 15-day injured list with a back strain in late June. The former closer in Atlanta is in the first season of a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Giants that he signed this past offseason. He did not appear in a game last season after undergoing UCL surgery and did not return to a big-league game until May of this year. Prior to injuring his back, however, Jackson looked to be close to his previous form as a top-flight reliever. In nine appearances with the Giants this season, Jackson has a 2.16 ERA with 10 strikeouts and three walks across 8.1 innings pitched.

González was an early-season sensation with the Giants last year, winning Rookie of the Month in May after slashing .368/.410/.500. However, the former Chicago White Sox prospect quickly fell back to earth and settled into a glove-first fourth or fifth outfielder role by the end of the season. In 363 career MLB plate appearances, González has hit .253/.328/.363 with 19 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 10 stolen bases.

Entering this season, González was expected to compete for a spot on the Giants Opening Day roster with several significant offseason additions. However, a back injury sidelined him in spring training and ultimately forced him to undergo back surgery. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi recently mentioned that González "could be a factor" for the team in August, and this rehab assignment confirms that timeline.

González is currently on the 60-day injured list, which means he is not counting against the Giants 40-man roster. He can spend 20 days on a minor-league rehab assignment, taking the team through August 7th, before he must either be re-added to the 40-man roster or designated for assignment. Assuming the Giants do find a spot for González on the 40-man roster, he does have a minor-league option remaining, meaning the SF Giants will not have to bring him back to the majors.

This article first appeared on FanNation Giants Baseball Insider and was syndicated with permission.

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