TODAY: Encarnacion will undergo surgery on his injured hand tomorrow, according to multiple Giants beat writers. The team will release a timeline for Encarnacion’s recovery once the procedure is complete, which could hint that there is more damage than just the fractured finger.
MARCH 22, 12:22PM: Contrary to the Giants’ initial report, Encarnacion told the San Jose Mercury News’ Justice delos Santos and other media that the injury was indeed limited to just his left ring finger. The hairline feature will need roughly 4-6 weeks of recovery time.
11:38AM: Jerar Encarnacion sustained a fractured left hand while diving for a ball in the Giants’ Cactus League game yesterday, the team told reporters (including Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle). More testing will be done to explore the full extent of the injury, but Encarnacion will certainly be starting the year on the Giants’ injured list.
Encarnacion was removed from the game with what was initially described a jammed left ring finger, though the first round of scans revealed the more serious hand fracture. As noted by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the fact that Encarnacion is getting more tests could hint that surgery might be required, which would mean an even longer stint on the sidelines for the 27-year-old.
It’s a tough setback for a player who was viewed as a strong candidate to earn the bulk of the Giants’ DH at-bats. Encarnacion was hitting .302/.309/.547 with two homers over 55 Spring Training plate appearances, building on the power he displayed over 119 PA (.248/.277/.425) at the MLB level last season. As a right-handed hitter, Encarnacion also could’ve found playing time as a complement to the left-handed hitting LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base, or for Mike Yastrzemski in right field.
With Encarnacion now out of action, Slusser figures both Luis Matos and Grant McCray have a path to breaking camp with the Giants. Matos is a right-handed hitter who can now perhaps slide into the role of spelling Yaz against southpaws, while Wilmer Flores should split time with Wade when Flores isn’t also getting a good chunk of DH time. Jung Hoo Lee has been bothered by a bad back in the late stages of San Francisco’s camp, and while Lee’s issue isn’t thought to be too serious, his potential absence along with Encarnacion’s injury might leave the Giants with a couple of sudden roster holes to address as Opening Day approaches.
I think David Villar just got thrown a lifeline.
He could still get DFA but this opens the door for him, build his value a bit then trade him when Encarnacion is healthy.
Man this sucks for Jerar. I don’t see the Villar opportunity in this. I think this will prolong the Schmitt / Wisely decision.
They can carry both on the bench until he’s recovered.
I didn’t look like they were going to be able to keep both Wisely and Schmitt on the team to start the season. Now they can.
I’d much prefer Schmitt over Villar.
Things were going so well. Very disappointing turn of events. Not happy at all for the big man.
No real like for like replacement in terms of a power threat.
It might depend on how Lee’s back holds up. If he’s not ready to play every day they might need to keep McCray.
I prefer Matos, Luciano, Wisely and Schmitt, in that order, all over Villar for a roster spot. Wade, Flores and Wisely can all play 1B.
Sam Huff gets his spot and the Giants carry three catchers
Murphy is already starting the year on the IL. Huff will be the backup to Bailey
Max Stassi
Yeah. My head went there as well. Wondering if Huff to DH is being considered.
So close to the season, why was Encarnacion even playing RF?
Why didn’t Encarnacion get playing time in the OF earlier in Spring Training?
Especially when Melvin had already determined Encarnacion’s bulk of playing time was going to be DH
@ Redwolves. Because he’s an OFer as well as a 1B and DH? Reps in the field are usually helpful? I mean, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker, Aaron Judge, et al. have been known to play RF. It’s ok to play in the field. It doesn’t always lead to injury.
Red wolves
Makes sense for Giants to see what he could do at corner outfield and 1B as that would give him additional avenues for playing time and offer the team more flexibility.
Short term, this is an opportunity for Matos and Wisely. If the injury is worse than anticipated, then I would rather try Luciano than grab Martinez or Rizzo.
If Encarnacion is going to be on IL for 6-8 weeks Martinez might be an option
Gawd no.
Martinez has already stated he would not like playing for SFG. Surely he would now with nobody else signing him. Obviously there are good reasons for that seen around the entire league. Hard pass.
Ouch hate to see this happen looks like he was having a great spring.
That’s very nice of you, James. The man has been wearing a big neon sign that says “ready to break out”. Crushing blow.
He’ll be back five weeks into the season. Not a biggun.
Except that if the G-men hope to snag a wild card, they have little margin for error.
Wild card? LOL
Giants have only finished w/ one season w/ a Record over .500 since 2016
This team is years away from being a playoff team.
Entering another year with the Giants pinching pennies and depth lacking.
Doom and gloom and misinformation.
There is no legit dh on the team.
No second lefty in the pen, no dh, we needed another bat. And another lefty hitting of. There should’ve been an upgrade in the of. McCray gets a shot. The only place with legit depth is the rotation.
Encarnacion’s own words suggest a better scenario than I’d feared. Notably, it doesn’t sound like there’s any (serious) ligament/tendon damage – just a fracture. Good.
I believe they are called hairline fractures, not hairline features
I fondly remember when I had hairline features.
Receding is a feature, just not great one.
He meant hairline furniture. Sofa king lame writing on this sight.
Use all of them, splitting his time based on who’s hot and who’s not, game by game. Encarnacion was going to DH and maybe play some first base or right field, so why not mix and match? Give Flores a bunch of at-bats because he’s solid, Matos some chances against lefty pitchers, and McCray a shot when speed matters—adjusting as you go.
Flores? Solid?
Why not sign an every day DH like JD Martinez? He may have something left. If not, you aren’t out a whole
lot. He’s a professional hitter and I would trust him more than some mix and match. Again, if he doesn’t work out, nothing ventured nothing gained. At this point he probably wouldn’t be asking for a lot.
JDM spurned the Giants a couple of years ago when they targeted him; he claimed “Oracle Park is where bats go to die”.
Martinez rejected a Giants’ offer last season. He doesn’t want to play in SF. Plus, he’s 37, and was only 6% better than league average last season.
The Giants’, like a lot of other teams, don’t want to sign a DH only guy. It limits the team’s flexibility. Since they won’t be starting much, it’s much better to cycle guys like Matos and McCray through the DH spot, because they’ll need ABs, than it is to lock it down for 1 guy.
Matos / McCray?? Those guys can’t hit. They’re Terrible.
Giants group of regular hitters is weak and the team has no depth.
Screen name checks out.
What power did he show last year?
He averaged an EV of 95 MPH, had a 177 ISO, a 59. 5 HardH%, and a 4.2 HR%.
League average for those stats: EV 88.2 MPH, ISO 168, HardH% 36.8, and HR% 2.9.