Trying to break their first five-game losing streak since 2020, the Giants are becoming whole again.
Reliever Dominic Leone rode his scooter into the Giants’ clubhouse and began a long sequence of daps and hugs with his teammates. Both he and first baseman Brandon Belt are back with the team after testing positive for COVID-19. Belt in particular could provide a major boost to an offense that’s scored five runs in its past four games.
Leone told reporters that he was asymptomatic. His wife and son each tested positive and felt sick for a couple days but are doing well now.
The right-handed reliever said he feels ready to pitch right away. Though he couldn’t do much while isolating in his Bay Area apartment, he did some band work and stood a mattress up against one of his wall for light throwing.
“For me, the most frustrating part was I didn’t have symptoms,” Leone said. “Which is a good thing, but also it’s frustrating when you’re missing games and you feel fine. Just good to be back. Ready to go. Hopefully turn the tide a little bit.”
Belt, meanwhile, didn’t spend the entire 10-days away from the Giants because he got two consecutive negative PCR tests. The first baseman had four home runs and a .837 OPS in his first 17 games on the year. He’ll start at first base and hit third against the Cardinals.
Belt’s test result came back negative Saturday morning; SF made a roster move shortly thereafter.
“If you talked to me a few hours ago, I would’ve been much less chipper,” manager Gabe Kapler said pregame. But it’s nice to know that Brandon Belt is back in our lineup today.”
To make roster space for Belt and Leone, the Giants optioned reliever Sean Hjelle and infielder Jason Vosler. Hjelle made his debut on Friday night and is celebrating his birthday today.
- Brandon Crawford isn’t in the starting lineup, but it’s a scheduled off-day for the shortstop. Kapler said it’s important for the staff to weigh full days off for their veterans versus opportunities to come off the bench as a pinch-hitter.
- Saturday’s game against St. Louis is being broadcast on FS1, and it’s also MLB.tv’s free game of the day.