Jerar Encarnacin out for season start after hand injury

In the United States, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnacin sustained a broken bone in his left hand while attempting to make a diving catch in a spring training game. The injury occurred on Friday, just as teams were preparing for the start of the regular season. Encarnacin, who had shown promising performance during spring training with a batting average of .302, will likely be out for about four to five weeks depending on his recovery. Team manager Bob Melvin indicated that surgery could be a potential option for the injury if healing does not occur as expected. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics are facing their own injury issues as second baseman Zack Gelof is set for surgery on his right hand after suffering a fracture to his hamate bone. Gelof was hit by a pitch during a game and an MRI revealed the extent of the damage. He will start the season on the injured list, as announced by Athletics manager Mark Kotsay during training camp activities. Gelof had a challenging rookie season but showed flashes of his potential with a total of 17 home runs and 49 RBIs. Both players represent a significant loss for their respective teams as they prepare for the upcoming season. Encarnacin is seen as a valuable player who also had the potential to occupy the designated hitter spot, a role that may now need to be filled by another candidate in his absence. For Gelof, this surgery and subsequent recovery time marks a setback in what was hoped to be a strong follow-up to his debut year in Major League Baseball. Overall, these injuries highlight the physical demands of spring training as players fine-tune their skills before the regular season begins. The Giants and Athletics will need to adapt quickly to these developments while also managing the recovery processes for both Encarnacin and Gelof. The absence of key players at the start of the season can set a challenging tone for teams as they look to establish momentum early in the race for success.