San Francisco Giants left fielder Norichika Aoki is battling concussion-like symptoms.
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Aoki Headed to DL
Thursday, August 13
According to USA Today's Jorge L. Ortiz, the Giants placed Aoki on the seven-day disabled list after he left Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros with "lightheadedness."
It was Aoki's first start after being hit in the head by a 92 mph fastball from Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta on Sunday, August 9, after which he left the field under his own power.
Wednesday night was Aoki's first game back. Giants manager Bruce Bochy told Oliver Macklin of MLB.com that his left fielder "got lightheaded, dizzy, so we had to take him out. We're treating him at this time for a concussion. He showed symptoms."
Coming over from the Kansas City Roayls in the offseason, Aoki has appeared in 80 games in 2015, already making a stint on the DL after fracturing his fibula toward the end of June, according to FoxSports.com. But the 33-year-old has been a vital bat for the Giants, batting .302 with a .368 on-base percentage, making him a prime candidate for being their leadoff man.
Justin Maxwell replaced Aoki on Wednesday night and will be his replacement moving forward, but he does not have the same capability of finding ways on base like Aoki does. In 86 games this season, Maxwell is batting just .220 with seven home runs and 25 RBI.
Ortiz also reported Ryan Lollis was called up from Triple-A to add depth to the left field position, but he has appeared in just two games in the majors in 2015 and is hitless in five plate appearances.
It's a tough time for the Giants to be losing a run producer like Aoki, who uses his patience at the plate and speed on the basepaths to manufacture runs. San Francisco sits 3.5 games behind the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and 5.0 games back of the final NL wild-card spot.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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