Day after crucial blown save, Coonrod placed on IL by Giants

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A day after he blew the lead against the San Diego Padres, Sam Coonrod's 2020 regular season is over.

The Giants placed the right-hander on the 10-day IL on Saturday with a right shoulder strain, ending his regular season and likely his 2020. Coonrod would not be eligible to return until the second round of the postseason, and even then -- with the alternate site shut down -- the Giants would have nowhere for him to get meaningful reps if his shoulder starts feeling better. 

The Giants recalled Rico Garcia from their taxi squad, adding another right-hander to a bullpen short on them right now. Manager Gabe Kapler said Logan Webb will be available in a relief role Saturday night and Kevin Gausman could be used Sunday. 

Coonrod inherited a two-run lead Friday in a game that would have given the Giants a stranglehold on the final postseason spot had they won. His command was off, and he gave up a three-run homer to Padres outfielder Trent Grisham. Kapler said Coonrod came in afterward and complained that his shoulder was bothering him, adding that there was no indication before or during the outing that it was an issue. 

Coonrod had an odd second season in the big leagues. He became a national story when he refused to take a knee with the rest of the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers during a moment of unity on opening day, and on the field he was maddeningly inconsistent.

RELATED: Why Coonrod was used against Padres

Coonrod had a 9.82 ERA in 18 appearances but also showed the stuff of a dominant closer at times and picked up three saves. He made four appearances this past week, striking out five of six hitters he faced in the first two and then allowing five runs in the latter two. 

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