SF Giants' Schmitt slated for first professional start in left field

PHOENIX - A couple of weeks back, Casey Schmitt ordered an outfielder’s glove online in anticipation of getting playing time in the outfield. There was just one problem with the shipment.

The glove was for the wrong hand.

“I opened it and it was a (expletive) left-handed glove,” Schmitt said with a laugh. “So I had to send it back, and I ordered a different one.”

Schmitt will be wearing that new glove, a black “Heart of the Hide” with crocodile texture, against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night at Chase Field when he makes his first professional start as a left fielder.

Manager Tony Vitello chose Schmitt as his third different starting left fielder in the last three days after Heliot Ramos landed on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain. With Ramos sidelined for a “handful of weeks,” Vitello will have to mix and match at left field for the time being.

On Saturday, Drew Gilbert got the starting nod. On a windy Sunday in West Sacramento, backup catcher Eric Haase got his first start at the position since Aug. 11, 2023. On Monday, Schmitt had the assignment. Before replacing Ramos on Friday, Schmitt hadn’t played left field since his time at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista.

Schmitt, whose eight homers and .875 OPS lead the team, has been used by the Giants in a number of different roles to get his bat into the lineup. Before Monday, Schmitt had gotten starts at DH, first base, second base and third base.

Gilbert, Haase and Schmitt aren’t the extent of Vitello’s options in left field. Outfielder Will Brennan should see some time in left; catcher Jesús Rodríguez, who has outfield experience, could get a look there as well.

“I think it’s safe to say we feel most confident with Drew out there defensively, so at least we have a baseline to work off of,” Vitello said. “We’re trying to do a lot of things with some of these young guys we have that we’re really excited to work with. Eventually, it will probably calm down. It’s not going to be something new every day.”

Schmitt will have the luxury of a pretty controlled environment as he makes his first major-league start in left field. The Diamondbacks opened up Chase Field’s roof for Monday night’s game, but the winds were nothing like the strong gusts on Sunday in West Sacramento. Chase Field’s artificial turf should make for a smooth playing surface as well.

“I don’t think there’s ever perfect circumstances to try something new, but we thought it was good circumstances,” Vitello said.

Starting Schmitt in left opened up a spot for rookie Bryce Eldridge, who started at designated hitter and batted in the No. 7 spot.

Eldridge, who hasn’t gotten regular playing time since being called up, started on Friday against the Athletics but sat on Saturday and Sunday. In eight games before Monday, the Giants’ top prospect was 2-for-24 with a home run and nine strikeouts to three walks.

“It’s a little bit of a puzzle to solve,” Vitello said, “but when you come to work every day and you’ve got a guy that’s always got a smile on his face and he’s willing to do whatever you ask, it makes it a lot easier.”

As for Ramos, he underwent a second MRI on Monday. The team will provide another update on Tuesday.

Webb to start rehab assignment

Two-time All-Star Logan Webb, who is currently on the 15-day injured list with right knee bursitis, will throw a bullpen on Tuesday in Arizona, then start a rehab assignment later this week.

Webb, who is 2-4 with a 5.06 ERA, was placed on the injured list on May 9 (retroactive to May 6) after pitching a season-low four innings against the San Diego Padres on May 5. He is eligible to come off the injured list on Thursday.

Rookie right-hander Trevor McDonald has pitched well in Webb’s place, allowing four earned runs over 12 innings (3.00 ERA) in his last two starts.

Worth noting

• Outfielder Jared Oliva (left wrist hamate fracture) is continuing his swinging progression and will increase his baseball activity this week.
• Left-handed reliever Reiver Sanmartin (right hip flexor strain) will pitch on Tuesday for Triple-A Sacramento.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 7:05 PM.