Giants' Morse could miss at least 2 weeks after hamstring injury
After sitting out most of the 2016 season, Michael Morse's potential big-league return has been put on hold.
The 35-year-old veteran, who signed a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants in the offseason, was playing well and appeared to be in contention for a spot on the team before he injured his hamstring running on Monday against the Chicago White Sox.
Morse's injury is expected to keep him out of action for at least two weeks, according to manager Bruce Bochy, ESPN reports.
"It's too bad for him. He was playing some really good ball, swinging the bat well, doing all the things he needed to do to make this club," Bochy said. "He just said he reached for the bag and felt it, so it's going to take a little while."
Morse was a crucial member of the Giants when they won the World Series in 2014, hitting .279/.336/.475 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs, but his career has been on the decline. The power-hitting utility player has only suited up for 104 games since, and was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates last season after just eight plate appearances.
He was hitting .258/.343/.516 with two home runs and six RBIs in 14 spring games, and Bochy was impressed with what he was seeing from his former player.
"He came to camp in tremendous shape, and that should show him that he still has some baseball left, good baseball," Bochy added. "So my hope is he'll sit down and think about it and get back from rehabbing it."
Morse, who said a scan revealed no tear in the area, previously said he could retire if he doesn't make the club out of spring training.