Notes: Slater day to day; Solano returns

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants announced Friday that outfielder Austin Slater was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow and is day to day. Slater does not appear to be a candidate for the injured list right now.

“A flexor strain for a position player is less daunting perhaps than for a pitcher because outfielders can monitor how often and how hard they throw,” manager Gabe Kapler said during a Zoom call prior to Friday's series opener against the A's at Oracle Park. “They might have one or two throws an entire game, so I think that’s a positive thing. I think there are ways to allow flexors to come around for outfielders that you just wouldn’t be able to do with pitchers.”

Slater, who has emerged as one of the Giants’ hottest hitters over the past week, was scratched from the starting lineup against the Astros on Wednesday after feeling soreness in his elbow when he hit and threw. He did not start against the A’s on Friday, but Kapler said he showed signs of improvement and could return as a designated hitter before he’s ready to play the field.

“It’s possible that he could DH in the next couple of days,” Kapler said. “He took some flips today and it sounds like it felt good.”

Slater, 27, is batting .342 with a 1.076 OPS, three home runs and five stolen bases over 14 games this season.

More injury updates
The Giants received better injury news on infielder Donovan Solano, who returned to the starting lineup Friday against A’s left-hander Jesús Luzardo after missing two games with abdominal soreness. Solano entered Friday with a career-high 15-game hitting streak and ranking second in the Majors with a .458 batting average, behind only Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies (.472).

Drew Smyly (left index finger sprain) has resumed throwing on flat ground and is progressing with his therapy. He will be re-examined this weekend along with Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder inflammation), who is still not throwing.

Reliever Sam Coonrod (right lat strain) reached 95 mph with his fastball during his 30-pitch bullpen session at Oracle Park on Friday. His next step is to face hitters in live batting practice and simulated games.

“I don’t think he’s too far off at this point,” Kapler said.

Another hard-throwing right-hander, Reyes Moronta, has been throwing bullpen sessions at the club’s alternate training site in Sacramento. Moronta is rehabbing from right shoulder surgery, but the Giants have expressed optimism that he could be ready to return to the Majors before the end of the regular season.

Worth noting
Right-hander Jake Jewell, who was claimed off waivers from the Angels over the offseason, reported to the alternate training site after being added to the Giants’ player pool on Friday. Jewell, 27, didn’t participate in Summer Camp, but he was a non-roster invitee during Spring Training and has logged a 6.99 ERA in 21 career appearances in the Majors.

Kapler didn’t rule out the possibility that Jewell could develop into a bullpen option for the Giants later this summer.

“I think Jake, just like anybody in our Sacramento camp, as long as they’re there, they’re getting their reps and they’re having those simulated, competitive interactions with the hitters, they’re going to be an option for us,” Kapler said. “I think rather than kind of look too far out in advance, we’ll let him get his feet underneath him, see what kind of condition he’s in and see what he can bring to the table and then reevaluate.”