Giants Not Ruling Out Brandon Belt, Tommy La Stella
Brandon Belt (knee) or infielder Tommy La Stella (Achilles) for Opening Day, even though neither has appeared in a spring game yet. Belt and La Stella have been simulating game action by taking plenty of at-bats in live batting practice. Belt, 33, had surgery in September of 2018 on his right knee to clean up the meniscus and also missed time last year with knee inflammation, so it's certainly something to watch for fantasy managers. La Stella continues to recover from left Achilles surgery, and manager Gabe Kapler said the team will consider carrying La Stella on the Opening Day roster, even if he isn't ready to play nine innings at second base. Belt and La Stella could make their spring debuts in the next week.
Source: MLB.com - Maria Guardado
The San Francisco Giants aren't ruling out first baseman Source: MLB.com - Maria Guardado
Tommy La Stella To Play The Field On Wednesday
Tommy La Stella (shoulder) is expected to play the field for the first time on Wednesday, according to manager Scott Servais. The veteran infielder has been limited to designated hitter while dealing with shoulder soreness. Despite that, the Mariners believe that the injury is a minor issue. It sounds like La Stella should be ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks. The 34-year-old isn't expected to have much fantasy value and is mainly a utility infielder.
Source: Corey Brock
Seattle Mariners infielder Source: Corey Brock
Tommy La Stella Likely Out 5-6 Days
Tommy La Stella (arm) is dealing with a sore right arm in camp and will likely be out for five to six days. He was originally set to serve as the team's designated hitter in their Cactus League opener on Friday. The Mariners will take it easy on La Stella early in camp, but it's yet another injury for a player that can't seem to avoid them over the last few seasons. The 35-year-old veteran should be ready for Opening Day at the end of March, barring any setbacks. La Stella has only played over 100 games in one of his nine big-league seasons, and he hit .239/.282/.350 with a .632 OPS, two home runs and 14 RBI in just 60 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2022. In Seattle this year, he'll serve as a utility infielder and will see at-bats against right-handers on occasion.
Source: The Athletic - Corey Brock
Seattle Mariners infielder Source: The Athletic - Corey Brock
Mariners Sign Tommy La Stella
Tommy La Stella to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday. La Stella was released by the San Francisco Giants this offseason after slashing .245/.297/.380 with a .677 OPS, nine home runs, 41 RBI and 43 runs scored in 136 games over the last two seasons. The 33-year-old left-handed slugger had a tough time staying healthy as well, and that's probably going to continue to be an issue moving forward. He was able to play in only 60 games for the Gigantes in 2022 and will now head to Seattle, where he'll serve as infield bench depth for the M's. In his nine-year MLB career, La Stella has a .267/.337/.399 slash line, .736 OPS and 40 long balls in 667 games played.
Source: The Athletic - Corey Brock
The Seattle Mariners signed free-agent infielder Source: The Athletic - Corey Brock
Tommy La Stella Released By Giants
Tommy La Stella on unconditional release waivers on Thursday, the team announced. La Stella was designated for assignment last week and is still owed $11.5 million for the 2023 season. The 33-year-old wasn't going to be claimed on waivers with that kind of price tag, but now he's free to sign with any club. He was unable to stay healthy in his two seasons with the Giants, playing a combined 136 games in 2021 and 2022 while hitting .245/.297/.380 with a .677 OPS, nine home runs, 41 RBI and 43 runs scored in 136 games and 437 plate appearances. La Stella may have to settle for a minor-league deal elsewhere in hopes of making it back onto a major-league roster eventually.
Source: San Jose Mercury News - Evan Webeck
The San Francisco Giants placed infielder Source: San Jose Mercury News - Evan Webeck
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