After Joe Panik took a pitch to the head against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Giants were concerned enough to put the second baseman through three days of concussion tests.
Panik passed those tests, manager Bruce Bochy said. But nine days after the initial beaning, Panik reported feeling concussion-like symptoms Monday night.
The Giants scratched Panik from their lineup Tuesday against the A’s, and he was to undergo further tests to determine whether he will need to go on the seven-day concussion disabled list.
“He can feel something,” Bochy said. “We do have some concern there.”
Panik was struck in the helmet by a pitch from the Rays’ Matt Moore in the fifth inning June 18, but he stayed in the game and hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth. Panik did not report any symptoms at that point, Bochy said, and had been playing well lately.
“We wouldn’t have played him if he had symptoms,” Bochy said. “This kinda just came on.”
The Giants already have third baseman Matt Duffy and backup infielders Ehire Adrianza and Kelby Tomlinson on the disabled list. They also are cautious about concussions after Brandon Belt and Gregor Blanco dealt with them.
Ramiro Pena, who was originally in Tuesday’s lineup playing third base, was moved to second base, and Conor Gillaspie started at third. Angel Pagan was moved up to replace Panik in the No. 2 spot.
Duffy said he has taken swings off a tee the last two days without the protective boot he is wearing for his strained left Achilles. But he said that’s because hitting with the boot on is uncomfortable, and he’s still wearing it pretty much at all other times.
Bochy said Duffy will be in the boot for five more days, so there isn’t much to update. “But I am encouraged that when you talk to the doctors, when this clears up, they think this will be behind him,” Bochy said.
Meanwhile, right-hander Matt Cain threw a bullpen session Tuesday and will pitch in an Arizona rookie league game Friday, Bochy said. That will be the first of at least two rehabilitation outings, putting Cain’s return after the All-Star break.
Adrianza, recovering from a fractured foot, is running and doing baseball activities but still a week away from starting a rehab assignment.
A’s – Oakland welcomed a player back to its lineup: right fielder Josh Reddick, who hadn’t played since May 20 because of a fractured left thumb.
“A month and a half went by quicker than I thought it would,” Reddick said. “It feels like Opening Day all over again.”
Reddick said his injury was frustrating in that it was “minor and major at the same time.” The only thing it affected was his hitting. But because he couldn’t hit, he couldn’t play. He said he feels comfortable at the plate now after requesting an extra game at Triple-A Nashville to prepare for his return.
“I wouldn’t have helped this team at all” by returning Monday, Reddick said. “And the way they were playing the last week, why would I want to screw that up?”
The A’s have won four of five, totaling 33 runs, including an 8-3 win over the Giants on Monday. Still, manager Bob Melvin said it’s nice to have Reddick back in the lineup. Melvin immediately reinserted Reddick in the third spot.
“When he left, he was in that spot. He comes back, he’s in that spot,” Melvin said. “There’s something to be said about having some consistency to your power spots.”
▪ Left-hander Rich Hill threw three innings in what should be his final rehab start for Class-A Stockton on Monday, allowing one run and four hits and striking out six.
Melvin said Hill, who was among the American League’s top starting pitchers before going on the DL on May 30 because of a strained groin, is slated to start Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Daniel Mengden will receive an extra day of rest and pitch Sunday.
▪ Mengden, who earned his first major-league win Monday, had a funny comment afterward when asked what he’ll remember most about the game. His answer: “Probably hitting.” Melvin was skeptical when relayed that information Tuesday, but he said Mengden was “pretty aggressive” in his at-bats. He was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.
“A lot of times I’ll have my pitcher take a strike,” Melvin said. “But I told him if it’s there for you, go ahead and swing it. And he didn’t hesitate.”
▪ Melvin also was told infield prospect Matt Chapman finished second in the Texas League home run derby. Chapman is the third baseman at Double-A Midland, where he has 17 homers in 74 games.
“Second? I’m surprised to hear that,” Melvin said, grinning.
The reason: Chapman led the A’s in home runs in big-league camp this spring, opening eyes in the organization with his power.
“I’m going to have to text him,” Melvin said, “and give him a little grief.”
Matt Kawahara: 916-321-1015, @matthewkawahara
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