Giants' Casey Schmitt Undergoes Wrist Surgery: A Closer Look at the Team's Second Base Dilemma
The San Francisco Giants' infielder Casey Schmitt recently underwent surgery to remove a carpal boss from his left wrist, which will keep him sidelined for eight to ten weeks. This development comes at a critical time for the team, as they are in the midst of a search for an upgrade at second base. The Giants' second basemen had a poor performance in 2025, with a combined batting line of .217/.273/.343, resulting in a 73 wRC+ that ranked 27th in the MLB.
Schmitt, along with Tyler Fitzgerald, Christian Koss, and Brett Wisely, took the majority of the reps at second base last season. While none of them performed exceptionally well, Schmitt's overall .234/.305/.401 batting line was only slightly below average. 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.
Currently, Schmitt is the top option at second base for the Giants. Fitzgerald and Koss remain with the organization, while Wisely was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves in September. There are no top prospects pushing Schmitt for the starting role, as Gavin Kilen, Josuar Gonzalez, and Jhonny Level all play the middle infield but are not yet ready for a look in 2026.
The Giants have been in the market for help at second base, but their reluctance to commit long-term to starting pitchers this offseason has led to speculation about their interest in top free agent Bo Bichette. Other free agent options include Jorge Polanco and Ha-Seong Kim, while the trade market presents possibilities like Brandon Lowe, Brendan Donovan, and CJ Abrams.
Despite the injury to Schmitt, he remains a key player for the Giants. With his experience at all three infield spots to the left of first base, decent speed, and strong throwing arm, he can serve as a utility player. Additionally, Schmitt has a minor league option remaining, giving the Giants the flexibility to send him to Triple-A Sacramento and call him up in case of an injury elsewhere on the roster. The Giants can control Schmitt for at least another four seasons, depending on his time spent in the minors during his final option year.
The Giants' search for a second base upgrade continues, and while Schmitt's injury highlights the team's need, it doesn't necessarily mean he will be squeezed out of a role entirely. The team's flexibility and Schmitt's versatility make him a valuable asset, and his recovery will be closely monitored as the Giants navigate their offseason plans.
