SAN FRANCISCO — With their lockers next to each other in a corner of the Giants’ clubhouse, you’d think twin brothers Tyler and Taylor Rogers would enjoy a little time apart before embarking on the second half of the season.
Instead, they’ll be side by side on a couple of golf courses in the area.
“My wife and son are visiting their in-laws in Indiana, so it’s just me and my brother,” Tyler Rogers said Sunday before the Giants concluded a a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies leading into the four-day All-Star break. “We’ve got two rounds of golf planned. Otherwise, your wife kind of makes the plans for you. That’s how you figure out the balance.”
Rather than give the pre-bye group speech common in the NFL during bye weeks, Giants manager Gabe Kapler plans on having players delivered to players one-on-one regarding rest, relaxation and also getting in just the right amount of work.
“This is not necessarily the sport where you get in front of the group and fire people up,” Kapler said. “This game is not necessarily meant to be played in that mindset. I think you’ll have more conversations individually rather than coming from one person.”
Kapler has met with his coaching staff, who were deployed to specific players with whom they have relationships. A young player who may need to hear a message about how getting away to Vegas for a few days may not be the best idea will be so advised. Veterans are checked in with but trusted to know the difference.
When Kapler played for the Boston Red Sox under Terry Francona, veterans were called into his office with specific player assignments regarding younger players.
“Terry’s goal was always to let the veteran player police the clubhouse and control some of that messaging, so Terry might call a few of us more veteran players into the office and we would go out and have those conversations,” Kapler said. “Every clubhouse is a little different, some have bigger, veteran presences than others. We have plenty of people to share that messaging.”
The amount of baseball activity will be monitored. The Giants have used a lot of relievers this season, and Tristan Beck, a bulk-innings rookie out of Stanford, said he’ll be taking care of business.
“I’ll probably take one day off and just keep the arm moving lightly,” Beck said. “Worst case scenario would be having to pitch the first game back after four days of not throwing. So I want to keep the arm moving, but keep the intensity down.”
Tyler Rogers, 32, doesn’t plan on throwing much at all.
“You take a few days off,” Rogers said. “In my younger days I wouldn’t, but now that I’m in my 30s, your body needs those days of rest.”
As for Kapler, his plans include a trip to the DMV to get his Florida motorcycle license renewed as well as other errands.
“I’m likely going to stay around here, but if I feel like going somewhere I’m just going to go somewhere,” Kapler said.
Crawford takes a seat
Shortstop Brandon Crawford was out of the lineup with hamstring tightness which began Saturday, with Casey Schmitt starting and batting eighth.
It doesn’t sound like a trip to the injured list is imminent however with the All-Star break coming up.
“We want him coming back after the break as strong and as healthy as possible so it’s not going to hurt to have today off,” Kapler said. “And who knows? Maybe he comes up in a big spot and is available to deliver off the bench. We’ll see how it goes.”
NOTABLE
— Kapler is hopeful right-handed starter Anthony DeSclafani, on the injured list with shoulder fatigue after a number of rough starts, will return for the Giants’ second series after the break in Cincinnati.
The Giants pick up the season in Pittsburgh on July 14 with a three-game series before heading to Cincinnati July 17-18-19.
— With left-hander Kyle Freeland (4-9, 4.93) on the mound opposing Logan Webb (7-7, 3.38), the Giants went with their right-handed-heavy hitting lineup. The first four hitters (left fielder Austin Slater, first baseman Wilmer Flores, switch-hitting catcher Patrick Bailey and third baseman J.D. Davis) are all right-handed.
Designated hitter Michael Conforto, right fielder Mike Yastrzemski and second baseman Brett Wisely were the left-hander sin the lineup.
Should the Rockies go to a right-handed pitcher, Joc Pederson, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Crawford are all lefty swingers available off the bench.
— Left-hander Alex Wood reiterated after five shutout innings Saturday against Colorado his desire to start, and Kapler is sympathetic to the request.
“I fully understand and appreciate Alex’s desire to stick in the rotation and if he’s not going to start every fifth day, his desire to come into hopefully a clean inning or a landing spot where he has the ability to compete for that moment,” Kapler said. “We have some other guys on our roster who would like the same.”
Kapler said he intends to collaborate with pitcher while at the same time maintain staff flexibility. He noted relievers Luke Jackson and John Brebbia should be making post returns at some point after the All-Star game and that will All-Star games return that will add to that flexibility.
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