The San Francisco Giants’ offensive plans for 2025 were like a carefully constructed house of cards, with their star outfielder as a key support. On March 21, a gust of wind in the form of a diving catch went wrong. While this holds the potential to tumble down the whole structure, how the Giants’ lineup copes with such a setback would be paramount.

The injury happened in a spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians on March 21, 2025, at Scottsdale Stadium, Arizona. The Giants outfielder and designated hitter Jerar Encarnacion injured his left hand. The incident happened while he was attempting to make a diving catch on a sinking line drive in right field. The 27-year-old left the game immediately and was initially diagnosed with a jammed left ring finger. The apparently minor incident, though, would quickly turn out to be much more serious and darken Encarnacion’s immediate future.

The initial hope for a minor injury quickly evaporated, as Alex Pavlovic, who covers the Giants for NBC Sports Bay, reported on X: “The Giants say Jerar Encarnacion has a fractured left hand and will get additional tests done today. Awful news for a guy who had a good spring and was headed for a lot of the DH at-bats.” The news was a blow, confirming a significant setback for a player who had been performing exceptionally well.

As per the MRI testing, the 27-year-old has a hairline fracture in his left hand around the knuckle on his ring finger. Though the outfielder expects to be out for four to five weeks, the team’s GM, Bob Melvin, revealed that he hasn’t been handed a timeline for the recovery just yet. Further, he didn’t rule out the possibility of surgery, saying, “Anything is on the table.” However, he did express his grief over the player’s injury saying Encarnacion was just “trying to make a play.”

Pavlovic’s “awful” description of the news was no hyperbole. Encarnacion had been one of the standouts of spring training, batting .302 with 2 home runs and 14 RBIs while maintaining a respectable .856 OPS. He had been seen as a leading candidate for the designated hitter spot as well as a solid addition to the Giants’ outfield depth. This injury, just days from Opening Day, complicates the team’s offensive plans and requires some unwanted replacement.

The aftermath of Jerar Encarnacion’s injury 

Encarnacion’s misfortune, however, creates an opportunity for others. Players like Grant McCray, David Villar, Jake Lamb, and Wilmer Flores now find themselves in a more prominent position to potentially claim a roster spot and significant playing time. Flores, in particular, had already been mentioned as a likely candidate for DH at-bats. And Encarnacion’s absence could solidify his role.

Encarnacion’s injury is not an isolated incident; it’s part of a growing list of concerns for the Giants. The center fielder Jung Hoo Lee is experiencing back pain, although an MRI revealed no structural damage. Catcher Tom Murphy is dealing with knee and back problems. Injuries to pitchers Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn are also affecting the rotation. This string of injuries forces the remaining healthy players to carry the load and makes the Giants dig deeper into their depth chart earlier than expected.

Now the question is: Will another player seize the moment? Or will Encarnacion’s absence prove to be a hurdle the Giants struggle to overcome as they begin their 2025 campaign?