San Francisco Giants Health Updates: Bochy, Cain, Romo
Spring Training is officially underway for the San Francisco Giants. Pitchers and catchers reported on Wednesday, and the rest of the Giants roster and non-roster invitees will report on Monday.
On the first day of Spring Training, all of the players go through physical exams, and staff members are encouraged to get checked out as well. On Wednesday, Bruce Bochy went through a physical, and they found he had a heart irregularity. On Thursday, Bochy went to the hospital to undergo a minor heart procedure that included inserting two stents, which would help widen the blood vessels leading to his heart.
As of Friday, Bochy was at home resting, and Bochy’s son, Brett Bochy, who is participating in Giants Spring Training, reported that his father was doing great after the procedure.
Today, Bochy returned to the team and was in good spirits.
Boch is back. #GiantsTalk pic.twitter.com/Yw9GVmZ3lO
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) February 22, 2015
Bochy here and in great spirits. Doc told him no further procedures necessary. "I've got another 200,000 miles on me." #sfgiants
— Henry Schulman BLUE CHECK MARK (@hankschulman) February 22, 2015
Doc said stents placed in a somewhat dangerous spot, but it's not a widow-maker." #sfgiants
— Henry Schulman BLUE CHECK MARK (@hankschulman) February 22, 2015
Matt Cain is currently recovering from right elbow surgery that he had in August 2014 to remove bone chips. Cain has been progressing well, and he had his first bullpen session of spring on Friday.
Matt Cain's first bullpen session of the spring. https://t.co/rs4BTSdIh6
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 20, 2015
After the bullpen session, Cain told reporters that he felt great and is pleased with his progress so far.
"“It felt pretty much full speed,” he said. “This is probably the best my arm strength has felt, shoulder-wise.”…“The ball is definitely coming out a lot easier,” he said. “I feel like I’m not having to try to muscle the ball to the plate.”"
Buster Posey caught Cain’s session, and he was also impressed with Cain.
Posey said Cain threw fastballs, changeups and curves. "It seemed much more effortless. He's obviously not fighting around the bone spurs."
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 20, 2015
Since Cain’s first bullpen session was on Friday, that means he is right on schedule and should continue to progress well through Spring Training. He might not get a full load of Spring Training starts, but all signs seem to be pointing to him being ready for the beginning of the season in April.
Sergio Romo reported to camp with a sore shoulder and hasn’t thrown a bullpen session yet. Instead, he will be throwing on the back fields for now and not off a mound yet. He is doing “dry pitching,” which means throwing without a ball.
Here’s what Bochy told reporters about Romo on Thursday:
"“He came in and said he felt a little soreness so we’re going to back him off here early in camp,” Bochy said of Romo. “I don’t see any major setbacks. I think he had a little of it last year, too.”"
Romo’s shoulder soreness isn’t seen as serious, and no MRI is needed. This would be the opportune time for Romo to rest his shoulder, and he’s rested his elbow in Spring Training before. The Giants need to keep Romo fresh for the regular season, so Romo should get the rest that he needs during spring.
As Spring Training progresses, we will continue to get reports and updates on the health of other injured or recovering Giants. Health is always an important factor for the Giants, so hopefully for fans, the players can continue to recover during spring and be ready and strong on Opening Day.