San Francisco Giants hope Tommy La Stella will likely be prepared for 2022
10/14/2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Tommy La Stella (18) throws to first base to retire Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (not pictured) during the second inning of the NLDS 2021 fifth game at Oracle Park set. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
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The San Francisco Giants had high hopes when they signed Tommy La Stella to a three-year contract ahead of the 2021 season. He had proven that he was far more than just a utility player and was turning out to be a solid second baseman with excellent contact skills. The Giants hoped he would cement the keystone for the foreseeable future.
But La Stella struggled with injuries all season, which limited its effectiveness. The Giants hope this won’t be the case next year as he had surgery on his left Achilles.
Giants say Tommy La Stella underwent left Achilles surgery last Tuesday, performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, WI. La Stella is back home resting and will start physiotherapy in a couple of weeks. Full recovery is expected to take four months.
– Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) October 30, 2021
Tommy La Stella is hoping for a repeat with the San Francisco Giants
The 2021 season was a disaster for La Stella on the injury front. He missed the time with a broken hand and a strained hamstring. The Achilles problem popped up in the last few weeks of the season, but he played through the pain to be part of the Giants’ postseason run.
It was clear he was wrong during the season. La Stella managed a disappointing .250 / .308 / .405 dash line as he was limited to 242 record appearances. While continuing to make solid contact with 18 walks and just 26 strikeouts, he only hit seven homers and 11 doubles. The Giants need more of second place.
This is especially true for the future. Donovan Solano is a free agent and can be more valuable to other teams. Wilmer Flores is still under the control of the team, but it is questionable whether the Giants are ready to entrust him with a bigger role.
It all depends on La Stella’s health. He should be ready for spring training so that he has enough time to prepare for the regular season. The Giants certainly hope he will be the player they hoped for when he signed.
Tommy La Stella’s injury-ridden year continued when he had an operation on his Achilles tendon. The San Francisco Giants hope he can get back in shape in 2022.
