Giants infielder Casey Schmitt underwent surgery to remove a carpal boss from his left wrist this morning, the team announced. He’ll require anywhere from eight to ten weeks to recover. That could cut into Schmitt’s availability early in spring training, but so long as there are no lingering complications, he should have time to ramp up for Opening Day.
Word of Schmitt’s surgery comes just a day after reports emerged that the Giants were among the teams looking into second base upgrades. That’s hardly a surprise, given that San Francisco second basemen combined for a dismal .217/.273/.343 batting line in 2025. The resulting 73 wRC+ (indicating they were 27% worse than league-average) ranked 27th in MLB.
Schmitt, Tyler Fitzgerald, Christian Koss and Brett Wisely took all of the reps at second base for San Francisco last season. None of them hit well while manning the keystone — though Schmitt’s overall .234/.305/.401 was only a bit worse than average at the plate (98 wRC+). Coupled with 113 solid plate appearances in 2024, Schmitt has been an average bat over the past two seasons, hitting .241/.300/.420 with 18 homers in 461 plate appearances.
As things stand, Schmitt sits atop the Giants’ depth chart at second base. Fitzgerald and Koss both remain with the organization. Wisely was claimed off waivers by Atlanta in September and remains on the Braves’ 40-man roster.
There’s no top prospect breathing down Schmitt’s neck. Gavin Kilen, Josuar Gonzalez and Jhonny Level all play the middle infield, but none will be ready for a look come 2026. The Giants have long stood as a fit to add help at second base, though their stated reluctance to go long-term on starting pitchers this offseason makes it worth wondering whether they’d make a real run at top free agent Bo Bichette. Alternatives in free agency include Jorge Polanco and Ha-Seong Kim, while the trade market presents possibilities like Brandon Lowe, Brendan Donovan, CJ Abrams and buy-low names such as Nolan Gorman and Luisangel Acuña.
For now, Schmitt still profiles as the top option, but news of his injury only further shines a light on the Giants’ need at second base. If the Giants do succeed in bringing in someone from outside the organization, that doesn’t necessarily squeeze Schmitt out of a role entirely. He has ample experience at all three infield spots to the left of first base to go along with decent speed and a strong throwing arm. He’d make a decent utility player and also has a minor league option remaining, giving the Giants the flexibility to send him to Triple-A Sacramento and call him up in the event of an injury elsewhere on the roster. The Giants can control Schmitt for at least another four seasons — possibly five, depending on how much (if any) time he spends in the minors during his final option year.
Seize the boss?
“Schmitt’s overall .234/.305/.401 was only a bit worse than average at the plate (98 wRC+)”
Schmitt is better than that line — he was hitting pretty well before he got hit by a pitch on the wrist, which he clearly never quite recovered from.
Why do players wait until December 2nd to get surgery??? You do it mid October. He would already be in week 7ish in recovery and good to go in January???
Always blows my mind
Rehab first. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Not all injuries get reported. Surgery is the last resort.
He must have Kaiser.
and ruin his vacation in the Caribbean, are you insane >_<
No Jeff McNeil mention? He’d slot into that lineup like a glove and wouldn’t be counted on to play 140 games with Koss/Schmitt in the fold. His defense would be more than passable playing less as well. A one year gamble on McNeil is exactly the type of contract(s) the Giants are looking for.
I’m confident the Mets would be happy just to clear all of McNeil’s salary with a minimal prospect return. Only problem is the trade makes so much sense for both teams it will never happen.