Giants’ Brandon Belt cleared for baseball activities

The San Francisco Giants have refused to go away in this year’s National League playoff picture. With a little over two weeks of action left and a narrow gap between them and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, the Giants got good news on Thursday about what could be a key addition to their lineup for the postseason push.

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According to manager Bruce Bochy, young first baseman Brandon Belt has finally been cleared for baseball activities after dealing with a concussion and the ongoing symptoms of such over the last several weeks. From CSN Bay Area:

"“Belt’s been cleared,” Bochy said. “We got good news on Brandon Belt. Great news. So, he’ll come back here tomorrow, we can ramp up his baseball activities, and try to get him going. How long it’s going to take is hard to say.”Belt was accidentally struck in the face by a thrown ball during batting practice in Miami on July 19 and missed the next 12 games with a concussion."

Between his performance in 2013 and some flashes of brilliance this season, Belt has shown signs of a young hitter ready to break through. In 51 games this season, Belt is batting .237/.296/.446 with 11 home runs and 24 RBI.

Obviously the Giants would like to see that batting average climb a bit higher, but his ability to change the course of a game with one swing could make Belt a real asset as San Francisco tries to steal a division title in the final weeks of the regular season.

Stay tuned to FanSided for all of the latest news, rumors, and analysis for Major League Baseball as the season races towards the postseason and the hot stove this off-season.