Casey Schmitt scratched due to illness on Sunday

Schmitt is set to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, so this move was an inevitability to free up a spot on the Giants’ 40-man roster. The expectation is that Schmitt will be fully recovered and ready to go in time for spring training.

Cox homered in his 10th big-league game back in June, but that was off Carson Kelly in 16-3 game against the Cubs. This one came off Jake Bennett in the second. Cox, who could be looking at more playing time if Victor Bericoto goes on the IL, is batting .255/.255/.489 through 50 plate appearances. He’s struck out 26 times, but he has a .526 BABIP, which seems totally sustainable.

Cox hit .269/.269/.500 in 29 plate appearances with the Giants earlier this year and was raking to the tune of a .468/.519/.660 line in Sacramento after being sent down earlier this month. Presumably he’ll get more of a look in the bigs this time. The 25-year-old stole 21 bases in 55 minor-league games this year and could help out fantasy managers in that category.

Even though the Giants have been shedding position players, the team decided there was no room for Cox on the roster following his four-week absence due to a strained oblique. He was 7-for-26 with a homer and four steals before landing on the injured list.

Giants manager Tony Vitello told reporters the procedure will “more than likely” end Schmitt’s season. It’s hardly an unexpected development after the 27-year-old breakout slugger was diagnosed with a meniscus tear in his left knee earlier this week. It would be extremely surprising if he makes it back in any capacity, which means that fantasy managers can safely drop Schmitt in nearly all formats. He finishes an unexpected breakthrough campaign with a strong 271/.301/.483 slash line with a career-high 21 homers, 55 RBI and nine steals in 409 plate appearances.

No word yet regarding how much time Schmitt will miss, but he’s facing an extended absence. There’s a strong possibility that his season is over. It’s an unfortunate development for the Giants, and fantasy managers, as Schmitt’s breakout campaign comes to a screeching halt. He hits the shelf after batting .271/.301/.483 with a career-high 21 homers, 55 RBI and nine steals in 409 plate appearances, delivering top-10 caliber fantasy production at both second and third base this season. The 27-year-old suffered the injury while pulling up awkwardly after rounding first base during Monday’s game at Oracle Park. There should be a definitive return timeline at some point, but fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate him returning with just over eight weeks left in the season.

Schmitt is slated to undergo an MRI after tweaking his left knee during Monday’s series opener at Oracle Park. It certainly looks like an injured list situation where he’ll miss significant time, but that hasn’t been made official yet. There should be a definitive update on Schmitt’s status at some point this week.

Manager Tony Vitello believes Schmitt will miss some time with the injury. The good news is that the Giants are closer to getting Matt Chapman back from the injured list. However, that’s not expected to happen before the weekend. Christian Koss figures to start in Schmitt’s place Tuesday.

Schmitt left the contest with a trainer after suffering an apparent left leg issue while pulling up awkwardly after rounding first base following a second-inning single. He was limping noticeably while walking off the field. The biggest concern here is that he may have hurt his knee on the play. There should be an update on his status once he undergoes further evaluation.

Schmitt did his damage in the third inning of this one, tattooing a 1-1 fastball from Grayson Rodriguez for a 412-foot (105.9-mph EV) three-run shot that increased the Giants’ lead to 5-1. That would be his only hit in the contest but played a major role in the victory. For the season, the versatile 27-year-old is slashing .272/.303/.489 with a career-high 21 long balls and 54 RBI in 400 plate appearances.