WEST SACRAMENTO -- When will Jerar Encarnacion return to the Giants¡¯ lineup? After the latest update on the outfielder¡¯s left hand fracture, it sounds like it won¡¯t be for a while.
Encarnacion was scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday in Los Angeles to repair the injury, the Giants announced prior to Sunday¡¯s 4-3 loss in an exhibition game against Triple-A Sacramento at Sutter Health Park. The procedure was then delayed to later in the week due to travel issues.
Encarnacion came down on his glove hand on a diving catch attempt against the Guardians on Friday in Cactus League play and promptly exited the game. A subsequent MRI exam showed a hairline fracture on his left ring finger, near the knuckle.
While Encarnacion said he expected to miss four or five weeks, the impending surgery means his absence could be considerably longer. That¡¯s tough news for a player who had an excellent spring and seemed to be a lock for the Giants¡¯ Opening Day roster.
¡°He was putting himself in the position of getting quite a few at-bats, and rightly so,¡± manager Bob Melvin said Saturday. ¡°Based on what we saw last year and based on what we saw in the spring, there's a lot to like.¡±
Encarnacion, who hit .302 with two home runs and an .856 OPS in Spring Training, was on track for plenty of at-bats at designated hitter, with Wilmer Flores another strong contender. His injury opens up a roster spot for another hitter, with options including Grant McCray or David Villar.
Lee ropes RBI double in return
Jung Hoo Lee has lofty aims for 2025 when it comes to his availability.
¡°More than 162 games, that¡¯s my personal goal,¡± Lee said through team interpreter Justin Han before Sunday¡¯s exhibition.
That didn¡¯t always seem possible when Lee was sidelined due to a back issue earlier in March, but after treatment -- including an injection to relieve the pain -- Lee seems on track to be ready for Opening Day.
Batting third and starting in center field, Lee crushed an RBI double in the first inning and finished 1-for-2 with a walk in his first spring action since March 13.
If Lee can play in Monday¡¯s and Tuesday¡¯s exhibition games against the Tigers at Oracle Park, Melvin said, there¡¯s a good chance he¡¯ll be ready for Opening Day on Thursday in Cincinnati.
Roupp impresses in rotation audition
Picking a fifth starter to open the 2025 season hasn¡¯t been a cakewalk for Melvin and the Giants.
¡°It¡¯s tough,¡± Melvin said prior to Sunday¡¯s game. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot of good young pitching here. It¡¯s a little bit difficult.¡±
Landen Roupp might have just made it easier.
The right-hander fired five strong innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out eight, in Sunday¡¯s start against the River Cats. He lowered his spring ERA to 3.18.
¡°I¡¯m excited to hear who makes the team, who doesn¡¯t, stuff like that,¡± Roupp said. ¡°But like I¡¯ve said in the past, whether I¡¯m a starter or [in the] bullpen, it doesn¡¯t matter to me. I want to be a starter, but I¡¯ve just got to go out there and compete either way.¡±
Roupp¡¯s main competitor for the final spot in the San Francisco rotation is righty Hayden Birdsong, who relieved Roupp on Sunday but gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while recording just one out.
Roupp was slated to oppose lefty Kyle Harrison, who was scheduled to start for the River Cats. Harrison was scratched for Keaton Winn hours before first pitch, but there was no apparent injury concern for the left-hander.
Hjelle optioned to Triple-A
Earlier Sunday, the Giants sent one of their 2024 bullpen stalwarts to Triple-A to open the 2025 season.
Right-hander Sean Hjelle, who threw 80 2/3 innings last season -- the most of any Giants reliever -- was optioned to Sacramento. Hjelle had a 3.90 ERA in 2024 after posting a 6.17 ERA across 54 innings in his first two Major League seasons.
Hjelle struggled during 2025 Spring Training, posting a 6.75 ERA despite 14 strikeouts in eight innings.
Huff wins backup catcher job
Patrick Bailey has a new backup this season. Former Ranger Sam Huff will begin the season as the Giants¡¯ No. 2 catcher, Melvin said before Sunday¡¯s game.
Claimed off waivers from Texas in January, the 27-year-old has had a strong spring, slashing .300/.462/.533 with two homers in 30 at-bats entering Sunday¡¯s game. With Huff winning the job, Sacramento-area native Max Stassi will start the season in Triple-A.