Casey Schmitt scratched due to illness on Sunday

Cox is up to 13 steals this year, which leads the Giants even though he’s played in just 53 games. He continues to lead off against lefties, as he did Wednesday against Matthew Liberatore. Due to the team’s injuries, he has hit in the top four spots of the order in every game dating back to September 5, mixing in starts at center field and second base. He’s making his case to be on the club’s Opening Day roster in 2027 and is a possible final-week streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper formats.

Cox has taken advantage of his opportunity with the rebuilding Giants, hitting .313 (15-for-48) with three homers and five steals in 18 games since returning from the minors on August 14. The unheralded 25-year-old rookie offers an interesting power and speed blend for fantasy purposes and should be rostered in deeper formats, especially since he appears poised to continue batting near the top of San Francisco’s lineup for the final three-plus weeks of the season.

Since Cox stole 58 bases in the minors last year and had 34 steals in 55 minor league games this year, you may think of him as just a speed threat, but he also has a 13 percent barrel rate and 43.6 percent hard-hit rate with the Giants this season. Since being recalled again on August 14th, Cox is hitting .302/.362/.581 in 16 games with three home runs, eight runs scored, seven RBI, and four steals. He has played his way out of a short-side platoon role at the moment and could be worth a look in deeper formats.

No word yet on the reason for the move. It’ll be Jonah Cox taking over in center field. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

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.