SAN FRANCISCO - At this time a year ago, Miguel Gomez was playing for Class-A Augusta, which in theory is four promotions from the big leagues. He made the trip quickly. His bags did not.
Gomez took a connecting flight from the East Coast after getting the call-up from Double-A Richmond and his bags got held up somewhere along the way.
"I don't know what happened," he said. "Hopefully everything is here tomorrow."
If recent history is any indication, Gomez is in for some good luck. Joe Panik's gear did not make the trip to Phoenix for his big league debut in 2014 and he never went back down. If Sam Dyson had pitched in his first series after joining the Giants, he would have borrowed gear. Dyson arrived with everything covered in Rangers blue. He's now the closer.
Gomez is in for a much smaller role. Bruce Bochy said Gomez - called "Go-Go" by his new manager - likely will not get a start this weekend. The switch-hitter is a valuable tool on double-switches, and the Giants are short on the infield. They optioned Chris Stratton to Triple-A because he would not have been available after starting Thursday.
Gomez, a 24-year-old second baseman, was batting .305 in Richmond with eight homers, 19 doubles and two triples. A few weeks ago, Bochy mentioned to beat reporters that he was keeping an eye on Gomez, who was in camp this spring.
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"I like the way he attacks the ball from both sides," Bochy said. "He reminds me a little bit of Pablo (Sandoval), but with better discipline and less power."
Gomez showed that quick, flat swing in batting practice. He was decked out in orange and black, too. The clubhouse guys keep extra spikes and bats when players move on so Gomez had a collection to choose from. They do not have extra gloves, however, so Gomez will have to borrow one if he's inserted into the game Friday.
Perhaps he can track down Panik. Three years ago, he borrowed spikes from Sergio Romo and a glove from Brandon Hicks to get through his first day in the big leagues.
