Free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez has inked a minor-league pact with the New York Yankees. The 28-year-old didn't appear in the big leagues in the 2023 season due to back surgery and most recently appeared in the majors for the 2022 San Francisco Giants, hitting .254 with four home runs, 10 stolen bases, and 36 RBI across 350 trips to the plate. Gonzalez has been fairly productive in his brief time in the big leagues, posting a career .253 average with four homers, 10 steals, and a .691 OPS in 107 games between the Giants and Chicago White Sox, production that grades out just 1% below the league average, as per his 99 wRC+. He will likely serve as outfield depth for a Yankees team addressing their outfield needs this offseason.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) is undergoing surgery on Tuesday to fix a herniated disc in his lower back. It's an estimated 16-week recovery timetable, so he'll miss at least half of the 2023 season. However, there's optimism that Gonzalez will finally put the issue behind him. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter was limited to 98 games with the Giants in his third year in the big leagues in 2022, and he hit .254/.323/.360 with a .683 OPS, four home runs, 36 RBI, 31 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 350 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can ignore Gonzalez for now.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) hopes to be ready by Opening Day. Gonzalez was diagnosed with a lower back strain, with a 4-6 week timeline. He expects to be available by Opening Day, assuming he recovers well. Gonzalez spent his first full season in left and right field but has yet to have a starting spot for 2023. He peaked in May when he slashed .368/.410/.500 through 28 games, but he never found his footing after that. Aside from a mediocre final two months of the season, his bat mostly derailed. The Giants hope to stabilize his bat and develop some power. Once Gonzales returns, he will likely serve as outfield depth, with the possibility of making the starting lineup.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a lower back strain, according to the club. It's a tough break for Gonzalez, who also dealt with back issues in 2022. With the 27-year-old having to rehab in the early portions of the 2023 season, there's a chance that when he's healthy he'll return to action in the minor leagues. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter batted .254/.323/.360 with a .683 OPS, his first four major-league home runs, 36 RBI, 31 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 350 plate appearances and 98 games in his third MLB season in 2022. The Giants have more outfield depth this year after adding Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger in free agency, so Gonzalez won't be guaranteed regular playing time whenever he's healthy.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez has been recalled from Triple-A and is in the lineup tonight against the Minnesota Twins, batting eighth and playing left field. Gonzalez had been slumping at the dish, registering a .414 OPS in August before his demotion, but also was one of the only Giants position players with minor league options, making the choice to demote him even easier. He is unlikely to get everyday at-bats with an organization like the Giants, who like to use fringe players as platoon options, which significantly limits his fantasy appeal. Still, in deeper leagues he can be of use when he's hot because of his steal potential.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) is dealing with a slight back issue, which is why he's not in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs and left-hander Justin Steele. Joc Pederson is starting in left field and is hitting sixth in the batting order. Gonzalez has been a bright spot for the Gigantes in his first year with the team, slashing .289/.355/.418 with three home runs, 27 RBI, 23 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 228 plate appearances and 63 games. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Pederson isn't a great fantasy play on Thursday against a left-hander, as he's hitting just .200 (7-for-35) with two of his 17 home runs against southpaws in 2022.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) reported to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment. He homered in his first at-bat during Wednesday's rehab appearance with the River Cats in the first inning. The 26-year-old played well before being placed on the injured list on June 23 with a lower back strain, slashing .302/.361/.447 with a .808 OPS, three home runs, 24 RBI, 20 runs scored, and seven stolen bases over 49 games in 2022. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Gonzalez as he will look to rejoin the team by early next week.
The San Francisco Giants placed outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a lower-back strain and recalled infielder Donovan Walton from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Gonzalez has missed the team's last two games, and he was put on the IL on Thursday after an MRI exam showed a back strain. The 26-year-old might not be back with the Giants until the start of the second half of the season. In his first year in San Francisco, he has swung the bat well, slashing .302/.361/.447 with an .808 OPS, three home runs, 24 RBI, 20 runs scored and seven RBI in 180 plate appearances over 49 games. Austin Slater, who is starting in center field on Thursday, should see more playing time in the near future with Gonzalez on the shelf.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Wednesday. He is dealing with lower back tightness, so he'll sit this game out against the Atlanta Braves. This issue is believed to be minor, so Gonzalez isn't expected to need a trip to the injured list. Evan Longoria will take his spot in the lineup for Wednesday's outing against right-hander Charlie Morton. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday for another update on Gonzalez.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases in a 7-5 win over the Pirates on Saturday. He has been locked in the plate recently and is on a five-game hitting streak. The 26-year-old is slashing .300/.364/.650 with a homer, two RBI, five runs, and two stolen bases over 22 plate appearances during the streak. He continues to see everyday at-bats and should be added in all league formats while the former third-round selection wields a hot bat. Gonzalez is slashing .306/.367/.449 with three home runs, 23 RBI, 18 runs, and seven stolen bases over 46 games in 2022.
