LOS ANGELES -- Rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge was out of the Giants’ starting lineup for the second straight day with a head laceration that he suffered after running into a low-hanging ceiling at the team hotel.
The 6-foot-7 slugger was slated to play first base in Friday night’s series opener at Dodger Stadium, but he was scratched less than an hour before first pitch and replaced by Brett Harris.
Giants manager Tony Vitello said after the game that Eldridge wasn’t in concussion protocol and was held out of action due to an abundance of caution. Vitello had hoped Eldridge would be cleared to return on Saturday, but the 21-year-old continued to experience some wooziness, prompting the Giants to sit him against Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal.
“He’s still feeling the implications of that deal,” Vitello said Saturday. “It’s kind of a weird spot in the hotel. I checked it out. Yesterday it was a little bit more about just his comfort. But now, stemming from last night and this morning, those guys have been monitoring him like crazy. Just some lingering effects. And you throw in the fact that you’ve got 97 [mph] coming from [Skubal], it doesn’t make sense [to start him].”
Vitello said the Giants plan to keep a close eye on Eldridge and could put him in concussion protocol if his symptoms persist in the coming days. Eldridge has been one of the Giants’ top young hitters this year, batting .269 with an .825 OPS and 17 home runs over 107 games.
With Eldridge unavailable, Harris got his second consecutive start at first base on Saturday. Harris, 28, was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox earlier this month and has gone 3-for-15 with a double over his first seven games for the Giants.
Mayer update
Infielder Marcelo Mayer ran the bases and took batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, putting him one step closer to making his Giants debut.
Mayer, who was acquired from the Red Sox in exchange for left-hander Erik Miller last month, has been sidelined since June 25 with a bone stress reaction in his left ulna and a bone bruise in his right foot. He could return to action when the Giants open their final homestand of the season against the Twins on Monday.
“I think he’s close to being able to play,” Vitello said. “He’s done everything full speed you can do off the Trajekt machine -- everything except face a live pitcher. He’s done everything full speed, including now back-to-back running days. I think we’re close, if not there.”
Sanmartín sidelined, Hentges returns
The Giants made a swap of left-handed relievers on Saturday, placing Reiver Sanmartín on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain and reinstating Sam Hentges after he completed his rehab from a left forearm strain.
Vitello said Sanmartín tweaked his side during his last pitching appearance at St. Louis on Wednesday and continued to feel discomfort while warming up on Friday. The 30-year-old southpaw will end his first season in San Francisco with a 4.22 ERA over 24 outings.
Hentges, 30, logged a 3.27 ERA over 40 appearances for the Giants before landing on the IL on Aug. 25. He made one rehab appearance for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, striking out two over one scoreless inning.