San Francisco Giants C Hector Sanchez rehab on hold after 2nd concussion
By Phil Watson
San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez has been on the disabled list since sustaining a concussion on July 25 and his return has been delayed by a second concussion.
Sanchez, who has backed up Buster Posey for three seasons for the Giants, had an earlier minor-league rehab stint shut down when he took a foul ball off his mask two weeks ago.
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On Saturday, while back on rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno, he took another foul off the mask and wasn’t so fortunate this time as he’s been diagnosed with another concussion, according to Comcast Sports Net Bay Area.
The latest injury may end Sanchez’s season and could be career-threatening.
Foul-ball concussions sidelined Minnesota Twins catcher enough that he moved to first base full-time this season, but given that Sanchez is a career .246/.280/.349 hitter who is only 6-feet tall, a move to another position might not be feasible.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that Sanchez might be shut down for the rest of the season.
"“Sure, it has to be (a possibility) with the second one,” Bochy said."
General manager Brian Sabean, however, expressed broader concerns.
"“This is scary because of the level of impact the last two have had on him,” Sabean said. “And we learned in the (Mike) Matheny case that these have a cumulative effect, like a boxer, and there may have been contact in the player’s past, in the minor leagues or winter ball, that you don’t know about.”"
In 66 games for the Giants this season, the 24-year-old Sanchez was hitting a career-worst .196/.237/.301 with three home runs and 28 RBI.