Giants Shortstop Faces Uncertainty After Injury
SAN FRANCISCO — Willie Adames had a demanding past couple of seasons, playing 160 games last year and 161 the year before. So, it’s understandable to gauge his discomfort after taking a swing on Sunday afternoon. After his third swing, he left the game and wasn’t seen again, leaving Casey Schmidt, who was feeling quite ill, to fill in defensively.
“It’s tough,” Adames remarked following a close 3-2 victory against the Braves. “It hurts.”
Looking ahead, it seems more probable that Adames will need an MRI rather than rejoining the Giants’ lineup for the upcoming series against the Diamondbacks on Monday. He exited after the seventh inning due to spasms in his lower back.
This back issue isn’t new; Adames mentioned it has been bothering him for almost a week. After several days of “grinding,” the symptoms finally caught up with him during the last moments of Sunday’s game.
His first at-bat felt stiffening, but, frustratingly, “it stayed that way.” “The situation got even worse in my last at-bat,” he shared.
Schmidt, who had already been delayed in the lineup due to a nasty flu going around the Giants’ clubhouse, ended up stepping in at shortstop.
With Buddy Kennedy removed from the roster to make space for Heriot Ramos, Schmidt was the only infielder left available according to manager Tony Vitello. “Going into the cage and telling him I was short was like waking up a drunk guy for a job interview,” Vitello joked. “He didn’t look good.”
Before the game, Vitello even acknowledged that the Giants’ infield was “probably a little lacking compared to other teams” following some pregame reshuffling.
Now, with Adames likely out for a bit and his only viable backup not in optimal condition, the team faces quite a predicament.
There’s talk that Christian Koss, who recently broke his left wrist and has been demoted to Triple-A Sacramento, could be a possible addition if the Giants need another infielder. His rehab has been active, with four games played in the Arizona Complex League.
“Offensively, he’s probably not going to be in the position that he wants to be or the position that we want him to be,” Vitello noted, but defensively, he’s ready to step in right away.
What’s crucial is that Adames figures out his situation. The 30-year-old’s struggles this season extend beyond just poor performance—he’s facing a series of physical challenges as well. If sidelined, he would find himself on track for fewer games than in previous seasons. As Vitello pointed out, he had also missed time earlier in the year due to discomfort in his knee and hip area.
“I feel like there’s always something going on with my body this year,” Adames admitted, highlighting a frustrating reality. “You just hone it… but I can say this year has been the worst for my body.”
He shared these thoughts after hitting two home runs in a recent doubleheader against the Braves, only to be followed by back issues shortly thereafter. In 18 games since June 6, Adames logged 11 hits and struck out 23 times during 69 at-bats, hitting a mere .159. His on-base percentage stands at .275 this season, marking the lowest of his career, and his defensive metrics show him at the bottom among major league shortstops.
Adames’ struggles have significantly contributed to the Giants’ disappointing season. As they aim for their first homestand win since late April, he may be forced to observe from the dugout.
“It’s terrible,” Adames lamented regarding the unfortunate timing. “Obviously, I want to go out there every day. I feel like we’ve got some momentum. That’s why I want to go out there.”
