SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants are a bit thin at third base these days.
Starter Matt Chapman is out with sprained ligaments in his right hand. Backup Casey Schmitt has fouled multiple balls off his foot within the past week, including one that caused him to leave the game on Sunday against the Dodgers.
“We’re going to play banged up over the course of the season,” manager Bob Melvin said before Thursday’s series finale against Cleveland. “A couple days ago, it affected him more than it has right now. His swings have looked aggressive, and at least yesterday, he got down the line fine. You’re gonna have to find a way to play with some aches and pains.”
Help is not immediately on the way for Schmitt, though Chapman was out on the field taking ground balls before Thursday’s game. Melvin has ruled out recent acquisition Rafael Devers at third, saying since Devers has not played the position in some time, the Giants will not throw him out in the field without some extended preparation.
Devers is a day away from facing the Red Sox, his former team that asked him to move off third after signing Alex Bregman without notifying him of the possibility ahead of time. Devers was traded from Boston on Sunday, and five days later, he’ll get reacquainted with a team he departed under somewhat acrimonious circumstances.
“I hadn’t really thought about it much, to tell you the truth,” Melvin said about Devers facing Boston. “I know we got another game here that we’re trying to win after losing a couple of games. We knew when we brought him over here that this was going to happen. The reception he’s got from our fans has been pretty immense.
“Whenever you play your old team, and he’d been there a long time, there’s probably going to be some emotions for him. But just go out there and do your thing business-wise, and get past that series and then move on.”
Melvin has ruled out recent acquisition Rafael Devers at third, saying since Devers has not played the position in some time, the Giants will not throw him out in the field without some extended preparation.
Stopping the skid
Speaking of moving on, the Giants are looking to turn the page on a four-game losing streak that dates back to Saturday against Los Angeles, a day that began with San Francisco tied for the lead in the National League West.
Things have taken a turn for the worse since then. Five days later, the Giants are 4 ½ games back of the Dodgers.
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Encarnacion not close to return
Melvin provided a brief injury update on outfielder/designated hitter Jerar Encarnacion’s oblique strain, and it was not an encouraging one.
“It’s gonna be a bit,” Melvin said. “Those things, I don’t even wanna get into a timetable, but it’s not gonna be the 10 days that it takes for an injured list (stint).”
Encarnacion, who was placed on the IL June 17, has had a hard-luck start to the 2025 season. He fractured his hand in spring training and went 3-for-22 when he returned before hurting his oblique on June 16.
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