SAN FRANCISCO -- As the Giants returned from the day off, there were concerns in the front office that a COVID-19 outbreak was hitting the roster. Before the first pitch, two more key Giants hit the COVID IL.
Brandon Belt and Dominic Leone joined Mike Yastrzemski and Zack Littell on the COVID list, and the Giants announced that Steven Duggar -- who is on the 60-day IL -- has also tested positive. The results have wiped out the depth of a roster that already was dealing with several injuries to the lineup and rotation.
Because the Giants are now classified by MLB as having an "outbreak" they are free to make roster moves without having to worry about later DFA'ing players that they call up. To fill out the roster, they called up outfielders Jason Krizan and Ka'ia Tom, as well as right-hander Mauricio Llovera. Tom and Llovera have played in the big leagues before, but the 32-year-old Krizan will be making his debut and starting in left field after 1,132 minor league games.
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Earlier Friday, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi informed reporters that the clubhouse would be closed to the media and non-essential personnel through the weekend series against the Washington Nationals. The Giants have also asked all players to wear masks, although they cannot mandate it. All of the players who have tested positive were vaccinated and boosted.
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"We have concerns about the level of contagiousness in our clubhouse given a string of recent positives, and we are taking measures to try to mitigate risk of further spread both internally and externally," Zaidi said.
As part of the roster shuffle, the Giants optioned Jakob Junis to Triple-A after his five shutout innings Wednesday. Manager Gabe Kapler said Junis likely will be back soon after making one start in Triple-A. Left-hander Darien Nunez, claimed from the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this week, was released.
