SAN FRANCISCO — Tony Vitello summed up the status of his second baseman who fouled a ball off his foot a night earlier like only the Giants’ iconoclastic manager can.
“A little tardy on the next pedicure for him,” Vitello said Wednesday.
Luis Arraez was held out of the Giants’ lineup for the second game of their series against the Athletics after he left Tuesday night’s 3-1 win when the discomfort from the foul ball became too much to bear.
Vitello didn’t rule out the possibility of using him as a pinch-hitter and was optimistic about his chances of returning to the lineup Thursday, despite reporting that his foot was numb when the manager checked in.
“He said his foot’s asleep right now from the treatment, but I’ve gotta believe that’s going to help swelling and all that,” Vitello said. “I don’t know that it makes the most sense or that it will even be an option on the sheet [for Arraez to pinch-hit].
“But hopefully with the work he’s doing back there it would mean tomorrow would be an opportunity. We’ll see.”
In a brief appearance in the clubhouse during the time it was open to reporters, Arraez had his right foot wrapped in athletic tape but appeared to be in good spirits, per usual.
X-rays came back negative after he fouled a pitch from A’s starter Aaron Civale off the arch of his right foot, just missing the protective padding covering his shin, in the first inning Tuesday night.
Arraez initially remained in the game but was pulled before the top of the fifth, with Casey Schmitt moving from left field to take over at second base. Utility man Schmitt again filled in for Arraez on Wednesday. Victor Bericoto got a rare start in left field.