Angel Villalona is still attempting to be granted a work visa by the United States Consulate.
According to Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Villalona is not being viewed as an “elite athlete” because of an ongoing medical condition, and is thus struggling to gain approval. The 21-year-old corner infield prospect has been working out at the Giants’ Dominican academy since December and will continue to do so until he is cleared to travel to spring training.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Angel Villalona, Giants, news
Dan Runzler is not yet fully recovered from the lat strain that he suffered last September.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday in camp that Runzler should be up to speed soon. The right-hander had a rough 6.26 ERA in 31 appearances last year.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Dan Runzler, Giants, news
Tim Lincecum did not participate in normal workouts Tuesday in Giants camp due to back stiffness.
Lincecum was able to throw on flat ground but decided against stepping atop a mound. There’s no reason to risk making a minor injury worse this early into spring training. He should be back to 100 percent in a few days.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Giants, news, Tim Lincecum
Brian Wilson (elbow) threw his first bullpen session of the spring on Monday.
“I feel like I?m right on schedule,” said Wilson, who estimated that he was throwing at about 75 percent intensity. “It’s a check on the checklist. It’s a standard bullpen. I don?t look too deep into it. But as far as pain, I was pain-free. No ailments, no tweaks, no inflammation.” Wilson dealt with elbow and hip injuries last season, so he isn’t expected to make his Cactus League debut until the second week of the exhibition schedule. However, the Giants’ closer shouldn’t need many innings to get ready for Opening Day.
Source: csnbayarea.com
Tagged as: Brian Wilson, Giants, news
The Giants have instructed catcher Buster Posey to refrain from blocking the plate going forward.
Posey’s 2011 season ended in May after he fractured his ankle during a collision at home plate with Scott Cousins. The Giants just want him to stay healthy. No, need him to stay healthy. “I’ll take this out of Buster’s hands,” skipper Bruce Bochy said Sunday in camp. “As a manager, that’s my job. I certainly don’t want people to think he’s backing off on his own. It’s something we’ll work on with him this spring.”
Source: go.com
Tagged as: Buster Posey, Giants, news
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said prospect Hector Sanchez could make the team out of spring training as a third catcher.
Sanchez has a real shot and has the added advantage of being a switch-hitter off the bench. The 22-year-old posted just a .646 OPS in 34 plate appearances as a rookie last year, but Sanchez has a solid track record in the minors, batting .295/.373/.443 over five seasons.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Giants, Hector Sanchez, news
Marc Kroon announced his retirement from baseball on Sunday.
“I would like to thank,” Kroon wrote on Twitter, “the N.Y. Mets (who drafted me), Padres (Major League Debut), Reds, Mariners, Dodgers, Angles, Tomoteros (Mexico), Yokohama Baystars, Tokyo Giants and the S.F. Giants for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love.” Kroon, 38, appeared in only 26 major league games in his career, posting a 7.43 ERA. Kroon last pitched in the major leagues in 2004 as a member of the Rockies, but had a successful resurgence pitching in Japan before returning to the States.
Source: twitlonger.com
Tagged as: Giants, Marc Kroon, news
Barry Zito has altered his delivery in hopes of gaining more movement on the ball.
Zito is crouching more and trying to use his legs more. Though the goal is to add more movement, and he wouldn’t mind adding a bit more velocity, as well. The veteran left-hander suffered through an injury-plagued 2011 season that saw him post a 5.87 ERA over 13 games — nine starts. He pitched pretty well for the Giants the previous two years, though, and has a good shot to bounce back and be a solid back-end starter.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Barry Zito, Giants, news
Giants manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that the Giants at some point might have to talk about Buster Posey changing positions, but he’s the team’s catcher for now.
It’s not uncommon for a catcher to eventually move positions in order to prolong their career, but the Giants aren’t close to even thinking about the move with Posey yet despite his devastating injury last year. His recovery has gone well, and Posey caught some bullpen sessions at spring training Sunday.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Buster Posey, Giants, news
Ryan Vogelsong will miss at least the first 10 days of spring training after straining his back on February 7 while doing squats.
Vogelsong said he’s not concerned, and as long as he does in fact miss only 10 days, it shouldn’t be a big deal. The 34-year-old former journeyman inked a two-year, $8 million contract (with a club option for 2014) last month after a breakout season that saw him post a 2.71 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 179 2/3 innings. He’ll certainly regress in 2012 but should be solid as long as his back and other body parts don’t give him any problems.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Giants, news, Ryan Vogelsong