San Francisco Giants third baseman Chapman is on the injury list with a right hand injury

The San Francisco Giants will lose their most valuable fielder in the coming weeks, with third baseman Matt Chapman on the 10-day injury list due to an inflamed right hand and missing the opening game of the series against Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday (Tuesday evening Denver local time). San Francisco Giants recall infielder Christian Koss from 3A Sacramento to fill the 26-man roster.

Chapman bruised the passer when he pounced back to first base in an eight-inning win over the Giants 4-3 over the Warriors on Sunday. Immediately after being held out of the game, he showed a painful expression and continued to play in the ninth inning after a brief examination by team doctor Anthony Reyes and head coach Bob Melvin. The X-ray was negative, but Chapman admitted after the game that his hand was stiff and he was concerned about ligament damage to his index, middle and ring fingers. An MRI on Monday confirmed a sprained ligament in his fingers and a bone contusion in his right hand.

Chapman said he was in Los Angeles on Friday to receive an interview with hand specialist Dr. Steven Shen. Steven Shin will be clearer about his comeback timeline after his assessment, but he expects to be out for more than 10 days and hopes to return before the end of the first half of the season.
"The timing was terrible because we were on a five-game winning streak," Chapman said before the game on Tuesday. It's pure bad luck, but that's how it is. I'm very frustrated at the moment, but I'm glad to be back in the first half of the season and contribute throughout the second half of the season – that's what motivates me. "

Chapman's absence will be a heavy blow to the Giants, as the five-time Golden Glove third baseman has a 0.243 batting average and 0.812 attack index in the first 65 games of the season and leads the team with 12 hits. Defensively skilled infielder Casey Schmitt will take up for third base.

"Every team has had injuries," Melvin said, "and we've been lucky this year. Some players are irreplaceable, and Chapman is the case. But Schmidt will return to his familiar position at third base, and the team will need to improve during his absence. "

Schmidt, who mainly guards third base, has kept more than one base this season, hitting 0.180 and 0.521 attack index in 20 games. Melvin thinks that allowing Schmidt to stabilize his position or help him pick up his strikes. Schmidt admits that he has a tendency to over-adjust his swings, and is now determined to focus on the trust instinct: "No more pushing. "

"Chap is unfortunate to have an injury, and I hope he's back soon," Schmidt said, "and he's the centerpiece and locker room leader and the best defensive third baseman in baseball." I will do my best to complete every guard - he always guides me in everything, and such a mentor is invaluable. "

The 27-year-old Kos hit one home run in 29 games with a batting average of 0.219 and an attack index of 0.541 before he dropped triple-A last week.