Diamondbacks' Evan Longoria: Launches first spring homer
Rotowire
Longoria went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.
The homer was the first of the spring for Longoria and just his second hit. The third baseman is 2-for-18 (.111) over eight Cactus League games. He's expected to serve as the Diamondbacks' primary third baseman to start the season, although remaining healthy could be an issue for the 37-year-old, who hasn't played more than 89 games since 2019.
Longoria (illness) returned to camp Saturday after missing time with strep throat, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Longoria is the leading candidate to start at third base. He's perceived as a better glove than last year's primary starter at the hot corner, Josh Rojas, who went 1-for-3 with a run-producing double in a spring game against the Rockies.
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Diamondbacks' Evan Longoria: Away from camp with illness
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Longoria was away from camp on Wednesday due to illness, Nick Piecoro of the AZ Central reports.
There's no timetable for when Longoria will be back, but it doesn't sound like something that will carry over into the regular season. The 37-year-old third baseman joined the Diamondbacks over the winter after slashing .244/.315/.451 with 14 homers over 89 games for the Giants in 2022.
Longoria (thumb) agreed to a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Despite being one of the older players in the game, Longoria still managed to put together a respectable 2022 campaign. He slashed .244/.315/.451 through 298 plate appearances with San Francisco, with a few IL stints mixed in throughout the season. He will likely split time at third base with Josh Rojas and get the nod to start whenever the D-backs face a lefty on the mound.
Longoria (thumb) had his $13 million club option for 2023 declined by the Giants on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Longoria played fewer than 90 games in each of the past two seasons, and San Francisco opted to pay the $5 million buyout and decline his option for next year. The 37-year-old had a .244/.315/.451 slash line with 14 home runs and 42 RBI in 298 plate appearances last year, so he should be able to secure another deal in free agency. The Giants are apparently interested in re-signing him at a lower price.
Longoria was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right thumb Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Longoria was struck on the hand by a ball Sunday against the Diamondbacks and underwent an X-ray that revealed a fractured thumb. He'll be unavailable for the Giants' final three regular-season games, and it seems likely that he'll require several weeks of rest during the offseason. The 36-year-old slashed .244/.315/.451 with 14 home runs, 42 RBI and 31 runs over 89 games in 2022.
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Giants' Evan Longoria: Slated for X-rays on hand
Rotowire
Longoria will undergo X-rays after he was struck on the hand by a ball while fielding during Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Longoria was struck on the hand on a ball that likely would have been a double play, and manager Gabe Kapler said after the game that the 36-year-old wouldn't have hit if his spot in the order came up again. Longoria should tentatively be considered day-to-day until the results of his X-rays are known.
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Giants' Evan Longoria: Mashes out of slump
Rotowire
Longoria went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI in Friday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Longoria hadn't homered since Aug. 23, going 26 games without a long ball. He had just two multi-hit efforts in that span, but he ended the quiet stretch with a massive performance. He knocked a go-ahead three-run blast in the first inning and tacked on a two-run shot in the second. Longoria is up to 14 homers, 41 RBI, 31 runs scored and 13 doubles through 88 contests this year.
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Giants' Evan Longoria: Clutch pinch-hit single
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Longoria went 1-for-1 with two RBI in Sunday's victory over the Diamondbacks.
Longoria pinch hit for Ford Proctor in the top of the eighth inning Sunday and came up big with a two-run single to put the Giants up 3-1. The veteran has settled into a platoon role of late and does not have much fantasy appeal at this point in his career, but the big hit Sunday keeps the Giants' playoff hopes alive.
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Giants' Evan Longoria: Racks up three hits
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Longoria went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.
Longoria continues to remain in a short-side platoon role. His multi-hit effort Friday was his second in September, and he's hit just .185 with three doubles and six RBI this month. For the season, the slump has him down to a .241/.314/.435 slash line with 12 home runs, 34 RBI, 29 runs scored and 13 doubles through 283 plate appearances.
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Giants' Evan Longoria: On short side of platoon
Rotowire
Longoria is not in Thursday's lineup against the Rockies.
Longoria was only in the lineup for one of the four games at Coors Field this week. He seems to be on the short side of a platoon at third base, as he has not started against a righty since Sept. 13.
