WASHINGTON -- The Giants will give Joe Panik the day off Monday against the Marlins following his home-plate collision in the fourth inning Sunday night during an eventual 6-2 loss against the Nationals.
The hit came as he attempted to score from second in the top of the fourth inning, but was thrown out at the plate by Washington center fielder Michael A. Taylor. The throw was on a direct line to where Panik was sliding, hitting him in the left temple before ricocheting into catcher Matt Wieters' glove to apply the tag.
"I'm sliding in and all of a sudden I feel a force hitting my head," Panik said. "Next thing [I know], I'm on the ground."
San Francisco's medical staff evaluated him immediately after the play, ultimately giving the green light to keep Panik in the game. But manager Bruce Bochy wants to be cautious, especially considering the 26-year-old was put on the disabled list in 2016 for concussion-like symptoms after a hit-by-pitch.
"We'll have to watch him tomorrow," Bochy said. "What a bad break. I guess [the ball] hit his head first, then it hit [the catcher's] glove...I think he was getting a slight headache there toward the end. He's definitely off tomorrow."
Panik noted that he passed all the concussion tests and felt good during the game, but conceded that he won't know the full extent of the injury for a few days.
Last season, he attempted to play through his head injury for a few games before he eventually landed on the 15-day disabled list.
"That was kind of silly on my part," Panik said. "Just trying to be tough and thinking you'll be fine. ...but that's not something that goes away on its own. I guess I'm going to keep monitoring it, be more honest."
Panik finished the doubleheader 5-for-8 at the plate with two RBIs. He's hitting .270 on the year with seven home runs and 40 RBIs.