MESA, Ariz. — Johnny Cueto’s second start as a Giant came with a scare, and a concussion test. Cueto was hit by a liner in the first inning but stayed in the game and got through three. He appeared to feeling fine the rest of the time he was on the mound, but per team policy, Cueto had to go for tests after leaving the game.
Billy Burns lined the first pitch of the bottom of the first off Cueto’s head, but it appeared to be a glancing blow, not a direct hit. Cueto popped up and was surrounded by teammates, manager Bruce Bochy, and trainer Dave Groeschner. After several warm-up pitches — and a second long talk with Groeschner — Cueto was allowed to stay in the game.
He appeared to still be shaken when Mark Canha followed with a slow roller to the right side that got under Cueto’s glove. Josh Reddick hit a no-doubter to deep right, putting Cueto in an early 3-0 hole, but he retired the next three A’s in order.
Cueto appeared to be more annoyed than hurt as he walked off the field after the bottom of the first, and he was the first Giant to leave the dugout after the top of the second. He gave up five hits in three innings, with all three runs coming on Reddick’s homer. Cueto struck out two and walked one.
The Giants had four players deal with concussions last season.
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