LAS VEGAS — Buster Posey‘s recovery from right hip surgery might limit how much the San Francisco Giants All-Star catches during spring training and at the start of the season.
Posey had surgery in late August to repair a torn labrum in the hip and remove an impingement.
“Certainly with a guy like Buster, coming off the major surgery, it might impact his spring training workload and maybe even his early season workload, but for now, all the indications are positive that he’ll be 100 percent,” new Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said at the winter meetings.
The 31-year-old Posey played in just 105 games in 2018, and his power numbers dipped with the hip affecting him all year. He batted .284 with five home runs and 41 RBIs.
Right-hander Jeff Samardzija is beginning a throwing program after he was limited to 10 starts and 44 2/3 innings in 2018 because of recurring shoulder problems. Center fielder Steven Duggar, who suffered a season-ending left shoulder injury in late August from a hard, headfirst slide back into second base, also is making good progress.
“As of now, that group of guys are all on schedule expected to be ready for camp,” Zaidi said.
Zaidi also further filled out his front office, hiring former Blue Jays general manager and Mets special assistant J.P. Ricciardi as a senior adviser. Zack Minasian was hired as director of pro scouting and Michael Holmes as director of amateur scouting.
When he left the Dodgers and joined the Giants last month, Zaidi wasn’t sure he would find a right-hand man before next season began. Dick Tidrow and John Barr will both stay in the organization.
The Giants claimed outfielder Mike Gerber off waivers from Detroit. The 26-year-old brings versatility because he can play all three outfield positions, something Zaidi prefers in his players. He made his big league debut last season and went 4-for-42 in 18 games for the Tigers.
Zaidi said it’s a “high priority” for San Francisco to add at least one experienced outfielder who can also bolster the offense.