San Francisco Giants: Impact of Span Injury; Nunez Needs to Bat Leadoff

Here we discuss the injury to Denard Span and how that could affect the San Francisco Giants lineup going forward.

I knew something was fishy on Tuesday when the San Francisco Giants announced their starting lineup and Span was missing.

The Giants were facing a left-handed pitcher on Tuesday, but it still didn’t make sense to sit Span on the second game of the year. Especially when Span has had some success against Patrick Corbin in the past.

We soon found out that Span is dealing with some hip tightness. Bruce Bochy said after the game that it’s not that serious, but Span is day-to-day.

What worries me is that this is the same hip that Span had surgery on in 2015. Despite his splits against lefties, I love having Span at the top of the lineup. I hope he’s alright and can get back in the lineup tonight.

If Span does have to miss a significant amount of time, then Eduardo Nunez needs to move into the leadoff spot.

I’ve mentioned on here a couple of times now that I feel like Nunez is going to have a breakout year. He’s making me look good so far with 5 hits in 9 at-bats.

His ability to get on base and steal bases makes him a perfect choice to bat leadoff.

I know Gorkys Hernandez came through on Tuesday, but I’m not going to bank on that production every night.

Bochy also said after the game that he has no plans to move Nunez up in the lineup. His excuse was that he wants to create lineup stability.

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I agree that lineup stability is important, but we’re two games into the season, there hasn’t been enough time for stability.

I’m not a future Hall of Fame coach, but I think this lineup would benefit from having Nunez in the leadoff spot if Span misses any significant amount of time.

Another point that has to be made from this Span injury is the need to find another outfielder.

Coming into the season I still thought the Giants needed to make a trade for a left fielder. Now I think they need someone who can play all three outfield positions.

With the lack of production in left and the injury concerns in center and right, the San Francisco Giants need to go get someone that can fill those voids if needed.

And they don’t just need someone to fill the void, but someone who is a proven, every day hitter. Drew Stubbs would be a temporary fix.

Next: San Francisco Giants Nearing Deal with Drew Stubbs

Again, hopefully this Span injury is minor, but it does bring up some issues with the Giants outfield and lineup that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

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