Posey to concussion list, eyes return next week

DENVER -- The Giants placed catcher Buster Posey on the 7-day concussion list Wednesday night as the result of a foul tip off the mask during Sunday's game at Cincinnati. Aramis Garcia was called up from Triple-A Sacramento, and he went 0-for-2 with a run scored in the Giants' wild 12-11 loss to the Rockies on Thursday.

It's the second time in Posey's career he's gone on the concussion list; the other instance was in April 2017, when he was struck on the helmet by a Taijuan Walker fastball in San Francisco's home opener. He returned to the field following the seven-day time frame.

"Last time, I felt pretty back to normal after about four days, so I hope it's the same [this time]," Posey said. "I think there's a progression we're going to take as far as monitoring heart rate and hopefully keep going up [on the concussion protocol] and respond well to it. ... I feel positive that I should be back out there hopefully next week."

Posey and the Giants are very familiar with concussions, watching Brandon Belt, Joe Panik and Mac Williamson deal with blows to the head in recent seasons. Former Giants catcher Mike Matheny was forced to retire in 2007 following several foul-tip impacts. Posey was also monitored for concussion symptoms after taking a foul ball off the mask in Arizona last August, though he wasn't placed on the concussion list.

"I think in the position I'm in, you're going to take nicks from time to time, and for me, it was something that I felt like I should've felt more normal than I did after three days," Posey said. "From everything I've always heard from doctors about this, it's the second one after your ding that is the one that can really cause problems, so you want to get back to normal before you take another shot."

The placement of any catcher on the concussion list, particularly when it has happened multiple times in his career, raises the question of how long that player will continue to catch. Posey said that he'll have some time over the next few days to talk with doctors and researchers regarding multiple catcher concussions, and he is approaching the situation with the sober mindset it warrants.

"When you're young, with the brain you've got to be cautious," Posey said. "I value who I am and will be as a husband and father first and foremost. At the same time, I enjoy doing my job and plan on doing my job."

As with any brain-related injury, there is no certainty as to a timetable for a return. Posey is preparing, however, for being back in the lineup next week. Though he was off to a slow start at the plate this season, he hit .333 (13-for-39) with six doubles and two home runs from April 21 to May 5.

"It's hard to say, because you don't know," manager Bruce Bochy said. "You've seen some of our history in dealing with this, going back last year to Williamson and Belt. So our hope is that it's really mild and he'll be ready to go in seven days. But we can't answer that right now."

While Posey is out, Garcia, who slashed .205/.309/.434 with four homers in 23 games with Sacramento, and Stephen Vogt will both get playing time, Bochy said. With the Giants facing a left-hander in Kyle Freeland on Thursday, the right-handed-hitting Garcia was in the lineup. Erik Kratz is eligible to come off the injured list Saturday. Top prospect Joey Bart is also out until around mid-May with a fractured hand.

Pomeranz to 10-day IL with lat strain; Beede called up

Left-hander Drew Pomeranz was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left lat strain. The Giants called up right-hander Tyler Beede from Triple-A Sacramento to take his roster spot. Bochy said the club will skip Pomeranz's slot the next time through the rotation, and that Beede will be in the bullpen for the time being. Beede threw two innings on Thursday and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks.

Pomeranz has a 5.93 ERA over seven starts this season, getting roughed up for seven runs over 1 2/3 innings on Monday in Cincinnati. He was at the White House on Thursday, along with the World Series champion Red Sox, for whom he played in 2018. Bochy said Pomeranz would have made the trip even if he had not been placed on the IL.

Beede also struggled against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, surrendering seven earned runs in 2 1/3 innings last Thursday. At Triple-A Sacramento this season, he's posted a 1.99 ERA over five starts, striking out 34 and walking 10.