Christian

Koss

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.

Giants skipper Tony Vitello told reporters earlier this week that Adames was trending in the right direction and it sounds like there’s a chance he’ll be ready for Friday’s series opener against the Rockies at Coors Field. The 30-year-old is sitting out his third consecutive contest due to back spasms. It’ll be Christian Koss filling in at shortstop in his absence.

Koss gets the call to join San Francisco’s injury-depleted infield mix with Matt Chapman finally requiring a trip to the injured list due to a lingering abdominal strain. The 28-year-old has gone 1-for-14 at the plate in the big leagues this season. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy leagues.

The Giants needed to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of Daniel Susac on Friday and it looks like Koss drew the short straw this time around. The 28-year-old infielder is just 1-for-14 (.071) in his limited action with the Giants this season.

Adames has really struggled to start the 2026 season, slashing .207/.248/.378 with three homers, six RBI, zero stolen bases (in two attempts) and a 36/5 K/BB ratio across 117 plate appearances. Christian Koss will start in his place at shortstop and will bat eighth against Max Meyer and the Marlins on Sunday in San Francisco.

Schmitt was scratched from the lineup Friday with tightness in his back, and he’ll miss Saturday’s game and likely Sunday’s as well. Consider the 27-year-old day-to-day. Christian Koss has started taking reps at first base before games and could be an option at some point, but Jerar Encarnacion likely will see the not-as-hot corner starts for now.

The Yankees have also reached out to the Cubs about Hoerner, but all indications, for now, are that the Cubs would rather hold onto Hoerner and trade Matt Shaw. Both Hoerner and Donovan are high-contact rate hitters who would provide nice balance to a Giants infield that features power bats in Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, and Rafael Devers. Nothing appears imminent, but the Giants don’t appear comfortable beginning the 2026 season with Casey Schmitt or Christian Koss as their starting second baseman.

Koss started the Giants’ three-run rally in the eighth inning by reaching on an infield single off of Blake Treinen. He then scored the tying run on Patrick Bailey’s RBI double. Koss also doubled in the ninth inning and advanced to third on a ground ball but the Giants couldn’t cash him in. On the season, the 27-year-old infielder is slashing .267/.305/.376 with three long balls and 22 RBI.

The game was scoreless until the 11th, as the D-backs couldn’t plate the winning run from third with one out in either the ninth or 10th. Jerar Encarnacion had the go-ahead single in the 11th, and Koss followed with the double to make it 3-0. He also had a two-run double in his previous start Monday. He’s been a solid part-timer for the Giants with his .258/.298/.365 line and very good defense at second base.

Adames will get some extra rest after experiencing side soreness for the last couple games. The 29-year-old shortstop is hitting .227 (25-for-110) with seven homers and 14 RBI in 28 games since the All-Star break. It’ll be rookie Christian Koss taking over at shortstop on Tuesday night in his absence.