Matt Moore was struggling through a particularly grueling fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies. They’d rallied for a three runs on four hits and were threatening with runners on the corners and two outs.
D.J. LeMahieu launched a fly ball deep to left field and a determined Jarrett Parker leapt shoulder-first into the wall to make the inning-ending catch. The crowd erupted as Parker stumbled into shallow left field, falling to his knees and clutching his right shoulder.
It was as bad as it looked: Bruce Bochy announced after the game that Parker broke his right clavicle:
“He hit (the wall) so hard that something had to give, and it was his clavicle.”
This injury came at a horrible time (is there ever a good time?) for the young outfielder, who’d just been given his shot, said Moore:
“You know you’re all in when you make a play like that.”
Parker was just starting to find his stride in his new platooning outfield role. After an 0-for-13 start, Parker went 3-for-11 with a triple and two RBI this home stand.
The team does not have a timetable for Parker’s return.
Bochy said that Parker was in a lot of pain and expressed devastation as he was ushered off the field:
“It’s a shame.”
This leaves the Giants sorely lacking in left field, and a move could just be dependent on Parker’s timetable for recovery. Aaron Hill and Brandon Belt could get more time in left to support Gorkys Hernandez and Chris Marrero, but that isn’t sustainable.
If Parker goes on the 60-day DL, the Giants could call up new guys Melvin Upton Jr. or Drew Stubbs, who are with Sacramento. Michael Morse is scheduled to play his first game out of extended spring training in San Jose Sunday, and could be the more logical replacement once he gets back into rhythm.
Shayna Rubin is SFBay’s San Francisco Giants beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @ShaynaRubin on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of Giants baseball.
Last modified April 15, 2017 5:56 pm
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