Giants spring training Day 21: Alguacil expected to miss two weeks

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When Jose Alguacil took to Twitter on Sunday morning to thank fans for their thoughts and prayers, he mentioned that he received about 250 text messages. A few of those were from his manager, so Alguacil sent a photo back to Bruce Bochy. 

“He looks like he went 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali,” Bochy said. “But other than that, he’s in good spirits.”

Alguacil underwent surgery Saturday night to fix a broken nose and close a deep laceration at the base of his forehead. He was hit by a foul ball while sitting alongside the dugout Saturday at Surprise Stadium, but Giants officials were pleased with the final diagnosis, noting that it looked much worse when Alguacil first went down. He also suffered small fractures in his eye socket. Alguacil was hit square in the face, in the eye area, but his sunglasses took a good portion of the force. 

Bochy said Alguacil could be off the field for as long as two weeks, but he’s expected to show up at Scottsdale Stadium at some point in the coming week. He was kept at a local hospital Sunday night for observation, but the scare hasn’t hurt his sense of humor. 

“He’s doing well,” Bochy said. “He says he wants to throw (BP) to three groups tomorrow.”

With Alguacil out, Shawon Dunston will serve as the interim first base coach. Another change Sunday was more subtle. The coaching staff did not put out folding chairs alongside the dugout, and the visiting Royals followed suit. 

THE ACE: The Giants lost their eighth straight spring game, although that doesn’t really matter. Actually it doesn't matter at all. Bochy said such a streak would only concern him if it came late in camp. They got off to a good start Sunday, with Madison Bumgarner striking out four in three sharp innings. He allowed one run. 

Bumgarner and the other Giants pitchers still are not hitting in games, but they have accelerated their pre-game work and they’ll soon ditch the DH. Bumgarner is looking forward to it. After hitting .186 last season, he has a goal in mind. 

“I felt like I still got a decent amount of hits last season, but I got a lot more opportunities,” he said. “If you can keep it up in the 200s, you’ve got to feel like you’re doing your part as a pitcher.” 

Bumgarner’s average dipped, but his on-base percentage was about the same. He drew a career-high 10 walks, doubling his previous best. 

THE OTHER ACE: Johnny Cueto is scheduled to make his spring debut on March 11, Bochy said. He will slot in behind Bumgarner. 

GAME RECAP: Mac Williamson went the other way for his first homer of the spring … Buster Posey had two hits, including a very Posey-like single to right that drove in a pair … Mark Melancon’s  perfect spring run ended, but he kept the Royals off the board after walking two and giving up a bunt single. Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik turned a slick double play to end the threat.

ROSTER MOVES: The Giants made their first round of cuts, reassigning C.J. Hinojosa, Carlos Alvarado, Andrew Suarez and Juniel Querecuto to minor league camp. Ray Black was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

TRAINER’S ROOM: Conor Gillaspie (sore throwing arm) will probably miss another day of action. Eduardo Nuñez (shoulder) should be back in the field on Tuesday. He has been limited to DH duty. 

QUOTABLE: “I’m ready to get there. I’m tired of answering questions from my fellow teammates on when I’m leaving. Thankfully that’s tomorrow. I don’t have to say ‘Monday, March 6’ anymore.” — Posey on leaving for the WBC.

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