SF Giants catcher Patrick Bailey landed on the injured list earlier this week with an oblique strain. Manager Bob Melvin told Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle that the club is optimistic Bailey can return shortly after the 10-day minimum expires.
Jakson Reetz was recalled in a corresponding roster move. In the meantime, veteran backstop Curt Casali will get most of the starts behind the plate. It’s not an ideal situation given how seamlessly Bailey works with the pitching staff, but Casali is a highly respected voice in the Giants’ locker room.
Perhaps the time off will give Bailey a chance to recharge and prepare for the final month of the year. While his defense is among the best in baseball, his hitting has dropped off noticeably in the second half.
Overall, he’s posting a batting average of .233/.299/.344 (83 wRC+) with seven home runs, 38 RBI and 37 runs in 366 at-bats. That includes a 9.0 percent walk rate, 21.6 strikeout rate and .110 ISO. Hits have been hard to come by recently, as he’s managed just 11 hits in 96 at-bats in the second half of the season.
While it’s nice to have offensive production from the catcher, teams value defense, and that’s exactly what Bailey brings. On the other hand, the Giants’ lineup doesn’t have many high-power hitters, so a weak spot in the lineup puts pressure on the other hitters. The good news is that Bailey’s oblique injury doesn’t appear to be serious.
For now, Casali will handle the primary duties behind the plate. The 11-year veteran returned to the Giants mid-season when Tom Murphy landed on the injured list.
Casali doesn’t bring any measurable value defensively, but he’s a popular catcher target for the Giants’ pitchers. He doesn’t do much with the bat, posting an OPS of .531 with five RBIs in 89 at-bats this year. Still, he continues to see a lot of pitches and makes pitchers work. There’s value in that.
Jakson Reetz will serve as the team’s backup for now. He made a few brief appearances for the club this season. The right-hander has only two hits and one home run in 14 at-bats with the Giants in 2024.
