SF Giants’ Adames out of Monday’s lineup with back ailment

PHOENIX — Willy Adames isn’t in Monday’s starting lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks as he continues to manage back spasms, but the Giants’ starting shortstop isn’t headed to the injured list just yet.

“He’s in good spirits,” said manager Tony Vitello. “He got looked at this morning and nothing structurally there was an issue, but obviously, there’s still pain in his back. So, today’s kind of a feel-out day — a non-medical term. Kind of see where he’s at after some activity in the training room.”

Adames was visibly shaken up after striking out swinging to end the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday, grimacing as he dropped his bat on the follow-through. He departed from the game after that at-bat and underwent an MRI after departing Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves, which came back clean.

“All these guys are trying to carry a heavier load than maybe they need to — or should — but it’s kind of based off high expectations, fresh vibe around here with a lot of new faces,” Vitello said. “And then we don’t get off to a good start, so guys start trying to do more.

“But also, Willie’s kind of like (Logan Webb). I’m not a scientist or a doctor, so I can’t quantify this, but as you put years after years of always wanting to be out there and logging a lot of playing time, I’m sure there’s a compound effect.”

Vitello said if the Giants were to make a roster move for Adames, it would come on Tuesday. Jung Hoo Lee is also out of the lineup, but he’s just receiving a day off

“It’s tight,” Adames said on Sunday. “It’s painful. My lower back’s been bothering me for a few days running. It just got locked up today in my first at-bat, I guess, and then it just stayed there. And then that last at-bat, it just got worse.”

Casey Schmitt was scratched from Sunday’s starting lineup due to an illness, but entered the game for the ailing Adames. Schmitt is back at shortstop on Monday, batting third, and infielder Christian Koss is in Phoenix on the taxi squad.

“Going into the cage and telling him he was at shortstop, it was like waking a drunk guy up for a job interview,” Vitello said on Sunday of Schmitt. “He didn’t look good. If you were watching him, the body language was, he was hurting.”

The Giants are currently without a traditional backup infielder with Adames out and Schmitt at shortstop. The team also designated infielder Buddy Kennedy for assignment on Sunday to make room for Heliot Ramos, who is making his first start of the season in right field on Monday.

In a pinch, rookie outfielder Jonah Cox would be the team’s emergency infielder. Cox has effectively had no professional infield experience aside from four innings at second base with Single-A San Jose in 2024. That said, Cox was primarily an infielder during his first two years of college. In recent days, Cox has been working with infield coach Ron Washington before games.

“Based off conversations we’ve had with him is he wants to provide as much flexibility as possible,” Vitello said. “Clearly, he’s a good enough prospect — he’s here now — but obviously he wants to have a long career. You always want to be the guy that’s needed. Not wanted, but needed.”

Vitello also said it’s a possibility, if absolutely needed, for Rafael Devers to play third base and Matt Chapman to slide to shortstop.

Adames, 30, owns a slash line of .231/.275/.430 this season with 14 home runs and 32 RBIs. Defensively, Adames’ -12 outs above average, a range-based defensive stat, are the fewest in the majors.

Worth noting

Outfielder Harrison Bader (left plantar fasciitis) is continuing his running progression. He will progress with hitting and throwing this week. He will spend the week rehabbing at Papago Park, the team’s minor league facility.
Right-hander Keaton Winn (right elbow strain) threw a 25-pitch bullpen at Papago on Monday. He will stay in Arizona the rest of the week. He is scheduled to pitch in the Arizona Complex League at the end of the week.
Right-hander Jason Foley (right shoulder) will pitch on Tuesday for Triple-A Sacramento.
Right-hander Joel Peguero (left hamstring strain) threw a 30-pitch bullpen at Papago on Monday. He will rehab in Arizona the rest of the week.
Catcher Daniel Susac (low back strain) is currently rehab only at Papago.