Buster Posey activated from concussion DL

Buster Posey is off the 7-day concussion DL and in the lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Royals. This is according to, well, the Royals’ scoreboard, so it’s possible that we’re all jumping the gun, here. However, in scoreboard we trust, so I’m rolling with it.

Posey has missed the Giants’ last seven games after getting hit in the helmet by an errant Taijuan Walker fastball in the home opener at AT&T Park. While the hope was that he would be ready to take advantage of the DH in an American League ballpark, as well as the odd off-day sandwich before and after, there are never any guarantees with brain injuries. I’m assuming that if the Giants aren’t the most cautious organization in baseball when it comes to concussions, they’re at least tied for first, so Posey coming back so soon is fantastic news.

(Of course, the brain does what it wants, and the Giants have welcomed back Brandon Belt, only to lose him again when symptoms reoccurred. Joe Panik apparently played the end of the 2016 season with wonky vision, too, so let’s not pop the sparkling beverages just yet. Still, I’ll take the good news over the bad news or, worse, no news.)

Nick Hundley hit .261/.250/.435 in 24 plate appearances without Posey’s absence, with Tim Federowicz contributing a walk in three PA, and one of them will be in the lineup over the next couple games, most likely. The bigger loss might be the loss of Posey’s Gold Glove defense and elite framing. Getting him back as a DH is the first step. The next, more important step is to get him back behind the plate, where he inspires millions every day*.

* give or take

The Giants have scored under four runs per game since Posey went on the DL, which is about three runs more than you would have guessed. Welcome back, Buster Posey, and keep that noggin of yours safe.