Giants injury updates: Mitch Haniger, Mike Yastrzemski, more

Outfielder Mitch Haniger is going to join the Sacramento River Cats on Tuesday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. Haniger was expected to be one of the Giants' best hitters but has been held back by a trio of injuries. In 40 games this season, Haniger has hit .230/.281/.372 with four home runs.

John Brebbia will begin a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League, scheduled to throw one inning. The veteran reliever has been out with a back injury since mid-June. In 29 appearances this season, eight as an opener, Brebbia has a 3.14 ERA (2.71 FIP) on 36 strikeouts and 10 walks in 28.2 innings pitched.

Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is rehabbing in Arizona and is "hitting without restrictions," but still needs to ramp up running before he returns to the field. It's worth remembering that Yastrzemski was on the verge of returning from the injured list before he reaggravated his hamstring injury running the bases. Yastrzemski has posted a .233/.314/.439 line with 17 doubles and 11 home runs in 77 games this season.

The Giants have not just missed Haniger and Yastrzemski's potential offensive contributions recently, but Yaz has consistently been an excellent defensive right fielder and solid defensive center fielder. Rookies Luis Matos (Giants Top 4 Prospect) and Wade Meckler (Giants Top 22 Prospect) have both made several costly mistakes defensively in center field.

A.J. Pollock is continuing to rehab in Arizona and has begun "light baseball activities." Pollock has been on the injured list with an oblique injury since August 9th. Pollock has a .165/.215/.308 triple-slash on the season, although he was only 0-for-6 with the Giants after they acquired him at the trade deadline.

Ross Stripling has not resumed throwing yet, and will not throw for at least the next 1-3 days. Stripling was placed on the 15-day injured list with a back strain last week. Before the veteran righty reinjured his back, he had bounced back from an ugly start to the season. Granted, despite that, he still has a 5.29 ERA in 78.1 innings pitched (19 appearances) with 61 strikeouts and 11 walks.