Belt's return this season looking 'doubtful'

Barring significant progress in coming week, Bochy not expecting 1st baseman back

September 3rd, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO -- Unless he makes significant progress in the coming week, the Giants don't expect first baseman to return before the season ends, manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday.
"At this point, if he came around this week, there's a chance he could play," Bochy said. "But if it's going to be a couple weeks, then it's doubtful that he will play this year. He's going to need time to do all the things a player needs to do to hit Major League pitching or play. That's doing baseball activities -- swinging a bat, getting your timing [down].
"Unless there's a really big change here in this coming week, I think it becomes doubtful that he will play this year."
Belt sustained his fourth known concussion when he was hit on the head by a pitch on Aug. 5. He exited the game, and he appeared to turn a corner in his recovery on Aug. 17, when he took a "big step," beginning cardio activity.

But since then, the Giants haven't had many noteworthy updates on Belt, who remains the team leader in home runs.
"There's no point in rushing him," Bochy said.
Callups continue
Outfielder and utility man were called up from Triple-A Sacramento before Sunday's game, bolstering the Giants' roster.
Williamson went 2-for-4, including a double in the ninth, in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Cardinals. Calixte took over defensively at third in the ninth but didn't get an at-bat.
With unavailable (mild oblique strain), the Giants added Williamson a few days earlier than originally planned.
"He's come on this last month," Bochy said of Williamson. "He's making better contact and driving the ball, doing all the things we expect Mac to do. Now it's time to get a look at him. It's part of the evaluation process as we go into the future."

Williamson said Sacramento manager Dave Brundage pulled him during Saturday's game to deliver the good news. It's Williamson's third stint in the Majors this season.
"It was definitely a surprise," he said. "It's always good to get an opportunity up here. This year hasn't really gone the way I wanted it to -- both up here and down there. To be able to get another opportunity to leave a good taste in their mouth … that's always a good feeling."
The Giants included Calixte in their initial callups, but they couldn't add him until Sunday. They had to wait the standard 10 days after optioning him Aug. 24.