Schmitt Sidelined
San Francisco Giants Adjust Lineup as Casey Schmitt Sidelined by Illness, Day-to-Day Status Confirmed
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Casey Schmitt was pulled from the San Francisco Giants' starting lineup Sunday morning due to sudden illness, forcing a last-minute reshuffle before the series finale against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Tony Vitello said Schmitt is day-to-day and will not be placed on the injured list. Athlon Sports reported the Giants quickly adjusted their lineup to fill the void.
Vitello described the move as a precaution. "We've got a little bug going around the clubhouse," he said, according to San Francisco Chronicle. "Casey felt it this morning. We'd rather lose him for one day now than a week later if it gets worse."
Giants Scramble to Rebuild Lineup Without Schmitt
The Giants had originally listed Schmitt in left field batting third against Braves left-hander Chris Sale. By 11:45 AM PT, those plans were gone. Reports of a "clubhouse bug" spread quickly among beat reporters, according to NBC Sports.
The reshuffled lineup sent Jonah Cox into center field batting ninth. Victor Bericoto shifted to left field and Jung Hoo Lee moved to right field, according to Athlon Sports. The changes left the Giants without their team leader in home runs facing one of baseball's top pitchers.
Schmitt Is Having a Career Year — and the Giants Need Him
Schmitt leads the Giants with 16 home runs and is second on the team with 42 RBIs through 74 games in 2026. His .290 batting average and .824 OPS are both career highs. He has started at five positions this season — first base, second, third, shortstop, and left field — according to Athlon Sports.
The numbers are a sharp jump from 2025, when he posted a .237 average and .637 OPS in 95 games. MLB Trade Rumors noted that Schmitt was considered a depth gamble heading into 2026. That gamble has paid off so far.
A Rocky Medical History Makes Every Scratch Harder to Ignore
Schmitt has dealt with serious injuries in back-to-back seasons. In April 2025, he strained his oblique in a batting cage and missed over a month. Two months later, a 95-mph sinker left him with a bone bruise and hand inflammation. In December 2025, he had surgery to remove a bone mass from his left wrist, according to the Associated Press.
Sports Forecaster framed Sunday's scratch within this injury history, suggesting the Giants cannot count on Schmitt for a full 162-game schedule. Local media took the opposite view. NBC Sports Bay Area called this a minor bump in a Comeback Player of the Year-caliber season.
Giants Have Backup Options, But None Quite Like Schmitt
If the illness lingers, the Giants could recall infielder Tyler Fitzgerald from Triple-A Sacramento, according to Sports Forecaster. Fitzgerald would provide infield cover but lacks Schmitt's outfield range and power output this season.
CBS Sports confirmed Schmitt is not a candidate for the injured list right now. The Giants are hopeful he returns quickly. But facing Chris Sale without their best power bat is a test of the roster depth that manager Tony Vitello has spent the 2026 season building.
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