SF Giants catcher Patrick Bailey leaves game with concussion symptoms
The SF Giants pinch-hit for rookie catcher Patrick Bailey in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 11-8 loss to the Chicago Cubs. While it may not be unusual for San Francisco to use a late-game pinch-hitter, backup catcher Blake Sabol had already been used. While the Giants were retired and did not have to take the field again, it seemed unusual to force themselves into an emergency catcher scenario. As it turned out, Bailey had to be removed from the game after feeling lightheaded following a collision at the plate.
Cubs 3B Jeimer Candelario collides with SF Giants C Patrick Bailey on September 5, 2023.
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
"Yeah, that was a potential concussion after a slide into the plate,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters after the game. “I think he took a shoulder to the chin, and he was a little lightheaded. We had to get him out of there. We’ll keep checking on him and obviously report back as we have more information.”
Bailey's emergence as a rookie has been one of the most exciting storylines on the Giants' roster this season. While he has cooled at the plate since an incredibly impressive offensive start, he has remained a Gold Glove-worthy defensive catcher. He has hit .248/.304/.390 with 17 doubles, a triple, and seven home runs in 84 games with the Giants this season.
Shortly after Bailey's symptoms emerged, catcher Joey Bart was removed from the Sacramento River Cats Triple-A game in Las Vegas. Bart was presumably rushed onto a flight from Las Vegas to Chicago to get him into town in case he's needed tomorrow. Bart is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster. He has struggled mightily at the plate in the majors this season but did take a big step forward defensively.
Since he was relegated to the minors following Bailey's emergence, Bart fell into the worst offensive slump of his minor league career. However, has been more productive recently, hitting .295/.434/.474 with five doubles and three home runs in his last 99 plate appearances.
After losing their last five games and falling out of postseason position for the first time in months, the SF Giants can ill afford to lose a key contributor. However, if Patrick Bailey did suffer a concussion, former second-overall pick Joey Bart will get another chance in the majors.
