SAN FRANCISCO — Heliot Ramos is back in the lineup for the Giants, but he won’t play the field just yet.
Ramos was activated off the injured list Sunday after missing a month and a half with a right quad strain, and he will hit sixth for San Francisco as a designated hitter.
Manager Tony Vitello said before the game that the decision to keep Ramos off his feet was a conscious attempt not to overburden him as he returns from the long layoff.
“As far as day one goes, I don’t know if ‘ease him into it’ is the right phrase,” Vitello said. “But we tried to balance out the workload at the minor league level, only a couple games of nine innings under his belt, and trying to mix in off days as well, so kind of ramp him up a little bit as we go.”
San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos, left, celebrates with Drew Gilbert (0) after scoring against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Matt Chapman’s double during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 10, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Casey Schmitt, who essentially took over as the starter in left field in Ramos’ absence, was slated to remain there for at least one more day but was scratched before the game with the flu.
Right field, which was Ramos’ anticipated position to return, will be manned by Jung Hoo Lee. Jonah Cox will play center and rookie Victor Bericoto is in left.
Vitello didn’t rule out almost any future combination in the outfield, even noting that Cox, a traditional outfielder, may eventually play some infield to find his way into the lineup. Vitello seemed more concerned about the Giants’ infield depth than finding a place for Ramos in the outfield moving forward.
“You’ve got Schmitt, he can kind of play anywhere,” Vitello said. “Cox has the ability and has played on the infield before, but it’s a little shorthanded probably relative to maybe other teams.”
So what does Schmitt think of all this?
San Francisco Giants second baseman Casey Schmitt #10 takes the throw as Athletics’ Henry Bolte #33 is safe on a steal in the ninth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
In his fourth season at the major-league level, Schmitt has recast himself as a super-utility player who can play any infield position or even pop out to the outfield in a pinch. He’s also having by far the best season of his career at the plate, slashing .290/.316/.508 with 16 home runs and 42 RBIs, both career highs.
For a player whose defense has always been his calling card, he’s become a contributor with the bat – even perhaps having an outside shot at making the All-Star team – to the extent that the Giants will move him all over to keep him in the lineup.
And it sounds like he doesn’t mind.
“I just do what I’m told,” Schmitt told the Bay Area News Group. “I’m excited to have (Ramos) back in the lineup. That’s a big bat that we need back in the lineup, so I’m excited to have him back here.”
San Francisco Giants’ Casey Schmitt (10) connects for a two-run home run in the third innning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Vitello, when asked about the recent trend of infielders kicking out to the outfield, highlighted Schmitt’s versatility, even noting that he pitched in college at San Diego State.
But it sounds like Schmitt won’t be closing games out on the mound anytime soon. He’s become too important for such trivial pursuits.
“I don’t know about that,” Schmitt said. “Those days are behind me.”
Subscribe to our Giants HQ newsletter for game analysis, scores, and everything you want to know about your San Francisco Giants.