SAN FRANCISCO -- Three days before the start of camp, the Giants announced that one key backup will be missing from a spirited competition, and likely for the entire 2020 season.
Aramis Garcia, the front-runner to back up catcher Buster Posey on Opening Day, had surgery Thursday to repair the labrum in his right hip.
Garcia is expected to miss six to eight months.
Garcia's absence leaves three non-roster invitees battling to back up Posey: Tyler Heineman, Rob Brantly and Chad Tromp. Heineman, a switch-hitter who got into five games with the Marlins last season, seemed the likely competition for Garcia and now could have an inside track on the job.