Panik may need thumb surgery; Mac also on DL

April 28th, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO -- Second baseman Joe Panik and outfielder Mac Williamson, who had been integral to the Giants' recent success, suddenly were whisked away to the disabled list Saturday.
Panik went on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb. The 27-year-old sustained the injury during a pickoff attempt with the Dodgers' Yasiel Puig at second in Friday night's 6-4 win at AT&T Park.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that surgery is an option for Panik, who intends to seek a second opinion before deciding whether to undergo rehabilitative treatment or an operation.
Williamson, who was said on Friday to have passed baseball's concussion protocol, was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday.
With Panik sidelined, the Giants added infield depth by selecting the contract of infielder Alen Hanson from Triple-A Sacramento. Hanson, a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, had a slash line of .403/.479/.661 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 18 games with Sacramento.
In his first at-bat with the Giants, Hanson, 25, launched a three-run homer in the seventh inning of the Giants' 15-6 doubleheader-opening loss to the Dodgers on Saturday. He likely will share time at second base with Kelby Tomlinson.
To compensate for Williamson's unavailability, the Giants recalled outfielder Austin Slater, who had been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento after Friday's game.
Both Panik and Williamson had contributed to the Giants' surge of four victories in five games entering Saturday's day-night doubleheader against the Dodgers.
"I hate to see either one of them get hurt at this point, because both of them had been playing such good baseball," Bochy said.
Batting primarily at or near the top of the order, Panik hit .267 in 23 games, led San Francisco in hits (24) and was tied for second with Brandon Belt in runs scored (11).
Williamson, 27, had been nothing short of sensational in five games since being recalled from Sacramento, hitting .316 with three homers and six RBIs.
"This is just a bad break for him and for us," Bochy said.
And pitcher Mark Melancon (right elbow flexor strain) was transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day DL.
Right-hander Chris Stratton was reinstated from the paternity list to start Saturday's Game 1 for San Francisco, while righty reliever Derek Law was called up as the 26th man for the doubleheader. Law was returned to Sacramento after the nightcap.