SF Giants injury updates: Marco Luciano, Alex Cobb, Keaton Winn, more
The SF Giants released an update on several injured players at the start of the week on Monday. The vast majority of the players listed are continuing to rehab previously disclosed injuries. However, there was one new names to the list, young shortstop Marco Luciano (Giants Top 4 Prospect).
Luciano is day-to-day with a tight right hamstring, which should not have any major issue on his availability for Opening Day. However, Luciano has struggled to stay on the field throughout his career.
The Giants did sign veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed to a minor-league deal on Monday to solidify their depth behind Luciano. Whether the timing of the deal was tied to the injury or not, it gives manager Bob Melvin a veteran alternative to the extremely young and unproven group of shortstops already in camp.
Starting pitcher Alex Cobb is continuing to throw bullpen sessions as he works his way back from offseason hip surgery. The fact that the Giants still have not placed Cobb on the 60-day injured list seems to bode well for his chances to rejoin the team's rotation before the end of May.
The Giants shared updates on a pair of young pitchers as well. Kai-Wei Teng, who has been out with a left oblique strain, is throwing from 90 feet. Keaton Winn will begin his throwing program on Monday. Winn had been held out of throwing due to right elbow soreness.
Given the Giants dearth of proven starting pitching options, both Winn and Teng have an opportunity to pitch their way onto the Opening Day roster this spring. Winn remains a favorite to be the Giants fourth starter while Teng is more likely tracked for Triple-A. However, the rotation competition behind Logan Webb, Jordan Hicks, and Kyle Harrison remains wide open.
Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski has continued his throwing program as he works his way back from a left shoulder impingement and is throwing from 110-120 feet this week. With Jorge Soler now locked in as the everyday designated hitter, it's going to be vital for Yastrzemski to be physically capable of playing in the outfield.
Both of the Giants offseason acquisitions recovering from UCL surgery remain on track as well. Left-handed starter Robbie Ray "is throwing three times a week and is progressing as scheduled." Right-handed reliever Austin Warren (read more on him here if you missed news of the signing) will continue throwing from 120 feet over the next two weeks.