Buster Posey to have season-ending surgery … soonish

The Giants announced Tuesday that Buster Posey will undergo season-ending surgery to treat bone spurs and issues with the labrum in his right hip — in the near future.

According to skipper Bruce Bochy, the team has yet to decide when the surgery will be performed. But in any case, they hope to have him ready to return for Opening Day 2019 after a lengthy rehab process.

Posey has had nagging hip issues since at least late-May, and likely not coincidentally he hit his last of five home runs on the season less than a month later (June 19). But it was something the team kept mostly mum on until the former-MVP and Gold Glover had to turn down his sixth All Star appearance to instead take advantage of the days off afforded by the All-Star Break and receive cortisone shots to treat the inflammation.

Despite managing the discomfort and remaining the team’s everyday catcher, Posey has posted a team-leading .286 batting average and is 2 points below team-leader Brandon Belt for on-base percentage at .360, which, if anything, is a sign of just how talented he is. 

But his power numbers, which have been slipping over the past few years anyway, are way down even taking that into consideration. Posey is clocking a career-low .386 slugging percentage, and, while he hit 12 homers, and 34 doubles last year, he has just the aforementioned five home runs this year and 22 doubles. This isn’t especially shocking, as his injured hip has cost him the ability to use his lower half to drive the ball.

Bochy said Posey is scheduled to be in the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

Up Next

The Giants play game three of four against the Mets Wednesday after splitting the first two contests. Casey Kelly (0-1, 1.69 ERA) will face Noah Syndergaard (8-3, 3.40 ERA).

Notes

Giants right fielder Andrew McCutchen has cleared irrevocable waivers, and among a glut of trade rumors, some believe he could be traded as soon as Wednesday.

Julie Parker is SFBay’s San Francisco Giants beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @insidethepark3r on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of Giants baseball.