Tom Murphy DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy (back) will miss at least the first two months of the season after landing on the 60-day IL to start the season. The veteran was limited to just 13 games with the Giants last year due to a sprained MCL, but he was expected to be in the mix as a backup option behind Patrick Bailey this season. He dealt with back spasms early in training camp and was diagnosed with a middle-back disk herniation. With Murphy out for a while, Sam Huff will serve as the Giants' primary backup catcher to start the season after beating out Max Stassi, who will start the season in Triple-A. Huff hit .313 with two home runs and a .444 wOBA in his 15 spring training games.

San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy (back) will receive a second epidural injection for his ailing back this week, and is strictly relegated to rehabilitation over the next few weeks. Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News reports. Murphy, 33, has yet to appear in any Cactus League action due to a mid-back disk herniation he suffered during the first week of pitcher and catcher workouts. Sadly, it does not appear to have improved, and he seems all but ruled out for opening day at this time. If so, teammate Sam Huff could begin the season as the team's backup backstop. Huff has hit .286 in 14 Cactus League at-bats.

San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy (back) has started doing light rehab activities. Murphy was dealing with back spasms in camp, but an MRI revealed a more serious issue. The veteran backstop is dealing with a middle-back disk herniation. The fact Murphy is only beginning his rehab process means he probably won't be ready to play by Opening Day. Patrick Bailey is expected to basically play everyday, so Sam Huff might end up making the squad as the backup until Murphy is ready to play.