SAN FRANCISCO — At 24 years old, Patrick Bailey understands the potential implications multiple concussions can carry.
The Giants catcher, back in the lineup Saturday, is also aware of the occupational hazards of his chosen profession and role within it.
“At this point,” Bailey said after suffering his second in as many seasons, “I’m trying to do everything I can to prevent them.”
That means, when Bailey assumes his crouch behind home plate for the first time since last Friday, it will look slightly different. Always preferential to the traditional two-piece face mask that attaches to a hard-shell helmet, Bailey will trade in his headgear of choice for hockey-style mask said to provide more protection.
The change came at the suggestion of Craig Albernaz, the former Giants catching coach now in Cleveland and who remains a close confidant of Bailey’s. Alex Burg, the Giants’ new catching coach, also consulted with the company who produces the masks, All-Star.
“Obviously the vision is different, but I don’t think it will be a drastic change,” said Bailey, who debuted the mask during Blake Snell’s bullpen session that he caught Friday. It was the first time he had worn the new style of mask since his days at Wesleyan Christian Academy, where catchers were required to wear the hockey-style mask.
The reinforced padding in the new mask could conceivably have lessened the impact of the foul tip that struck Bailey in the face last Friday. Initially remaining in the game, Bailey was removed the following inning when his vision began to get blurry, and the next morning his suspicions were confirmed when his symptoms didn’t go away.
It was the second concussion Bailey suffered since being called up to the majors last May, though a new helmet wouldn’t have helped last September when the Cubs’ Jeimer Candelario barreled into him on a play at the plate, sending him into concussion protocol for the first time.
Bailey’s concussion history predates his major-league career, estimating he has suffered “three or four” in total “but nothing crazy.”
“Obviously it’s something I don’t want to take lightly, with it being my brain,” he said. “It’s a frustrating thing but something I’ve got to protect and take care of.”
One protective measure already employed by Bailey takes the form of the headband-looking device that is often seen around his neck. The tool, called the “Q Collar,” is designed to reduce the risk of concussions by applying pressure to the neck area.
Bailey had worn the collar while catching but now will expand its use to every part of the game.
When it comes to preventing concussions, manager Bob Melvin said, “You just cross your fingers more than anything.”
“Knock wood they haven’t been severe,” Melvin continued. “I think we’re doing the best we can to not push that. And I think baseball’s done a good job with it, as well. Hopefully the non-severity has been a good thing.”
On a day where the Giants lost another player, Austin Slater, to the concussion list and Melvin lauded the offensive qualities of his replacement, Brett Wisely, the owner of a .498 major-league OPS, perhaps it went without saying the potential impact of adding Bailey back to their lineup.
Before he was sidelined, Bailey’s .800 OPS ranked third on the team behind LaMonte Wade Jr. and Michael Conforto.
The manager was asked if Bailey was capable of providing a “spark” for an offense that has scored the second-fewest runs in the majors since April 24, a paltry 2.87 per game.
“We’ll take anybody who can give us a spark right now. Sure, yeah,” Melvin said. “There are some things we can do offensively to be better and there are some guys that can potentially give us a spark. Bailey would be one.”
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In seven games without their starting catcher and one of their most consistent offensive performers, the Giants went 2-5 while scoring 3.4 runs per game, though that figure was inflated from a series at Coors Field, and the club’s offensive woes predate Bailey’s absence.
“Just having him back is big for us,” Melvin said. “Not only has he had a good offensive year to this point, he means a lot to the pitching staff.”
Notable
In a corresponding move, Jakson Reetz was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento, leaving Blake Sabol as Bailey’s primary backup. With an afternoon start Saturday, “there’s a chance” Bailey could start both of his first two games back, Melvin said, but “we’ll see each and every day how he feels.”
Slater was dealing with some “fogginess” a day after crashing head-on into the center field wall, according to Melvin. Wisely, who was added to the roster in his place, can be expected to see time in center and could start at shortstop with right-handers on the mound. In 32 games at Triple-A Sacramento, Wisely was batting .311/.403/.487 with almost as many walks (19) as strikeouts (21).
