SF Giants need to take advantage of silver lining provided by Casey Schmitt injury

Just when SF Giants fans thought things couldn’t get much worse, one of the few bright spots amid a very disappointing season was placed on the injured list and will likely stay there for the rest of the season. Casey Schmitt, who was having a breakout year, suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee while rounding first base in the Giants’ 3-0 win over the Brewers on Monday night. The diagnosis came the next morning: a torn left meniscus.

This type of injury usually takes six to eight weeks to fully heal, depending on whether surgery is needed. New York Mets infielder Jared Young suffered the same injury in mid-April. Surgery was required, and he was initially expected to miss six to eight weeks. He returned on May 26, roughly six weeks after being placed on the injured list.

For Schmitt, based on Young’s recovery timeline, a mid-September return would be an early target. But the Giants have no reason to rush him back. They’re currently 17 games under .500 and well out of contention, which means Schmitt’s season is probably over. The good news is that the injury shouldn’t affect his offseason or next season. It could always be worse. Let’s just hope he doesn’t hop on a scooter between now and then.

Even though Schmitt — in his fourth major-league season — appeared in just 98 games, the Giants know what they have in him. He was on pace to hit 32 home runs and drive in 85 runs, so he has shown that he can produce at a high level. He also filled in at six different positions this season and homered at all of them, though he is likely to take over at second base next year, with Luis Arraez expected to be gone by the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

He should have a definite spot in the infield. He has earned it by forcing the coaching staff to find a place in the lineup for his bat. Whether it was around the diamond, as the designated hitter or even in left field, Schmitt had become indispensable. Now, the Giants will have to make do without him until he returns next year.

Until then, they should try different things and see what they have in their young prospects. Just like trades, injuries create opportunities. Arraez should still be traded, meaning multiple players could get reps at second base for the rest of the way.

The Giants have a number of guys to try out after Schmitt injury

The Giants already selected Osleivis Basabe’s contract from Triple-A Sacramento after officially placing Schmitt on the 10-day IL. The 25-year-old’s last stint in the majors came with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, when he appeared in 31 games and batted .218 with one home run and 12 RBIs. Of his 22 starts that season, 18 came at shortstop. He has also played primarily at that position with the River Cats this season, though he has started double-digit games at both second and third base. Basabe appeared in 19 spring training games this year and finished with a .387 batting average and a 1.051 OPS.

So far, Christian Koss has been the one filling in at third base. He came in as a pinch-runner when Schmitt suffered his injury, started last night in the second game of the series against the Brewers and is in the lineup again today for the rubber match.

Matt Chapman should be back from his abdominal strain in San Diego this week, but Koss should still get reps at second base. So should Jonah Cox, who will begin his rehab assignment in Sacramento today, and rookie Jesus Rodriguez, who has spent a fair amount of time in the infield during his minor-league career. Even a couple of players currently in Triple-A could be given opportunities down the line. Nate Furman and Eddys Leonard are two names to watch.

Furman was acquired by the Giants from the Cleveland Guardians in the 2024 Alex Cobb trade. He didn’t make his organizational debut until July 2025 because of a shoulder injury and has spent this season in Sacramento, where he has batted .279 with 21 doubles, seven home runs, 48 walks and 17 stolen bases in 92 games. One historical note: He recently hit the third pinch-hit, walk-off grand slam in River Cats history.

As for Leonard, the Giants recently signed him to a minor-league contract after the Nashville Sounds — the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate — released him earlier this month. The 25-year-old has played all around the diamond during his minor-league career. He has posted an .860 OPS and hit 13 home runs in 73 Triple-A games this season, with just four of those games coming with the River Cats.

The picture is still a little blurry right now. This roster will undergo some changes over the next few days, and the Giants will also add some new prospects to their system. A player like Parks Harber, who was recently promoted to Triple-A, could also be a candidate to receive a call-up in September. A lot of things can still happen. It's the magic of the trade deadline. The "benefit" of not contending anymore. Fans at least get a chance to see some young players they probably wouldn't if the team was still in the race for a playoff spot. I might be grasping at straws here.

As devastating as Schmitt’s injury is, it has given the organization an opportunity to see how much quality this rising farm actually has, to see who has the potential to make an impact as soon as next season. The Giants need to take advantage of it. Otherwise what's the point of being this bad?

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow