Prospect Ramos (knee sprain) out 4-5 weeks

Duggar day to day; Williamson, Beede impressing in Minors

April 28th, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants received bad news on another top prospect, as they announced Sunday that outfielder Heliot Ramos was diagnosed with a left LCL sprain and is expected to be sidelined for four to five weeks.

Ramos, who is ranked as the club’s No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, sustained the knee injury while taking a swing with Class A Advanced San Jose on Wednesday. The 19-year-old had enjoyed a hot start to the season, batting .270 with a 1.009 OPS and five home runs through his first 19 games.

Ramos’ diagnosis comes less than two weeks after No. 1 prospect Joey Bart sustained a fractured left hand on a hit-by-pitch. Like Ramos, Bart will likely be out until at least June.

Duggar update

Right fielder was out of the Giants’ lineup for the second consecutive day with a sore right wrist, but manager Bruce Bochy said he’s feeling better and could be available to come off the bench as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement on Sunday. Bochy said he’s hopeful Duggar will be able to return to the lineup on Monday night against the Dodgers.

“With the progress he’s made over the last day, I think he’s going to be OK,” Bochy said. “I would say he’s day to day right now, which is a good thing, but we’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow.”

Duggar jammed his wrist after tripping over the bullpen mounds in the first inning of Friday night’s game, though X-rays were negative.

Williamson, Beede turning heads at Triple-A

Outfielder Mac Williamson, who was designated for assignment after the Giants opted not to carry him on their Opening Day roster, has been putting up eye-popping numbers at Triple-A Sacramento, batting .397 with a 1.075 OPS and four home runs over 14 games. He has also punished left-handers, going 9-for-14 (.643).

Despite Williamson’s torrid streak, Bochy said a callup likely isn’t imminent, as the Giants are comfortable with the health of their current group of outfielders. Williamson was also outrighted off the 40-man roster, so the Giants would need to clear a spot for him if they were to promote him.

“I don’t know what the possibility is at this point,” Bochy said. “He’s doing what he needs to do. He is playing well. He’s getting his hits down there and swinging the bat well, which is what you want those guys doing. For that to happen, somebody here has to go and get injured, and you really don't want to see that either. At the same time, you’ve got to have depth. I don’t know when that date would be, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at some point this year.”

Right-hander Tyler Beede is also impressing with Sacramento, logging a 1.99 ERA with 10 walks and 34 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings in his first five starts of the year.

“He’s throwing the ball very well,” Bochy said. “Hard not to see that. With how he threw the ball this spring, he really opened up eyes. Trust me, he’s on the radar with what he’s doing down there. With the stuff he’s throwing with, too. He’s not doing it with mirrors. He’s really demonstrating good command with high velo and a good changeup and breaking ball.”