Giants place catcher Patrick Bailey on 10-day IL due to oblique abdominal muscle injury

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants had hoped Patrick Bailey would return later this week, but on Tuesday they were reminded of something many hitters have learned over the years: Once the obliques start to tighten, a short rest is inevitable.

Bailey was placed on the injured list a day after injuring his right side, costing the Giants their starting catcher as they try to make up ground in the race for the MLB playoffs. The injury occurred before Monday's game and in unfortunate fashion. Bailey has only struck out three times this month and did extra cage training on Monday afternoon to try to improve his swing, but he felt tightness afterward and was briefly removed from the lineup.

Giants manager Bob Melvin initially said they hoped to have Bailey back by Wednesday, but on Tuesday he underwent an MRI scan that revealed the extent of the injury. While Bailey's performance at the plate has declined, the Giants are losing the league's best defensive catcher and Gold Glove favorite.

Curt Casali had a great night on Monday, getting two hits and making two nice defensive plays in the ninth inning of a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. He will be the starter for now, with Jakson Reetz backing him up after being called up from Triple-A Sacramento.

Reetz has completed 2 of 14 throws in previous major league appearances this season and was chosen over Blake Sabol, who spent all of last season in the major leagues. Reetz will be trusted more defensively, although no one else on the Giants can make up for the loss of Bailey's glove.

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