SF Giants placing Schmitt on IL creates huge opportunity at first base

The SF Giants have placed infielder Casey Schmitt on the IL with an oblique strain. To fill his place on the roster, the team called up infielder David Villar which creates a huge opportunity at first base for the once-promising slugger.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Villar, the Giants had to move outfielder/designated hitter/first baseman Jerar Encarnacion onto the 60-day IL as he recovers from a broken hand he suffered in spring training.

David Villar has huge opportunity after SF Giants place Schmitt on IL

The fact that Villar is back with the Giants less than a month after he was designated for assignment is fairly remarkable. He was already mentally preparing for his time with the Giants to end, but no team claimed him off waivers so he was assigned to Triple-A Sacramento.

He has been on a bit of a tear at the plate in Sacramento, so he made the most sense to receive the call up to the big leagues especially since he can fill the role Schmitt was playing on the team.

It is unfortunate that Schmitt went down with an injury because he was starting to look good defensively at first base even though it is a position he has only picked up recently. One hopes he can get healthy soon and get back on the field.

However, his injury does create a big opportunity for Villar. Right now, first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. is struggling badly at the plate. He began the season as the team's leadoff hitter against right-handed starters but lost that role to Mike Yastrzemski. Wade is currently slashing .091/.215/.236. That is what the analytics community would call ugly.

Wade's struggles could create an opportunity for Villar as well. He will most likely get some starts against left-handed pitchers just like Schmitt was, and if he can impress against lefties perhaps manager Bob Melvin will even let him start some games against right-handed pitching.

Villar has not fully taken advantage of his chances in the big leagues in the past. However, maybe this is the time that he will be able to capitalize on an opportunity and find some staying power at the big league level.

Injuries are never ideal, but they do often create opportunities for others to step up. We will have to see if Villar can step up and earn more playing time at first base with Schmitt on the shelf and Wade struggling.