San Francisco Giants infielder Casey Schmitt is trending in the right direction as he works his way back from offseason wrist surgery, a development that could set the stage for a healthier and more productive 2026 campaign.

Schmitt underwent a procedure on Dec. 2 to remove a carpal boss from his left wrist after dealing with discomfort for much of the 2025 season.

According to Maria Guardado of MLB.com, the 26-year-old was cleared last week to begin a hitting progression and has resumed swinging off a tee under the supervision of head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner.

The early returns have been promising. Schmitt said the grip strength in his left hand has already returned to roughly 95 percent, and he’s optimistic that he’ll feel fully normal by the time Spring Training opens next month.

After months of playing through pain, simply being able to swing without discomfort has been an encouraging sign.

The wrist issue stemmed from an incident on June 25, when Schmitt was hit by a pitch. Rather than shutting things down, he continued to play through the injury during the second half of the season.

While he remained available, the wrist never fully healed, and rest during the offseason failed to resolve the issue. That ultimately led Schmitt to opt for surgery, the same procedure Giants top prospect Bryce Eldridge underwent in October.

While Schmitt appears to have put the wrist problem behind him, his role with the club entering 2026 is not entirely settled.

He is currently projected to serve as the Giants’ starting second baseman, but San Francisco has explored potential upgrades at the position throughout the offseason.

The team has been linked to players such as Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan and Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, either of whom could impact Schmitt’s place on the roster.

Even with that uncertainty, Schmitt has remained focused on preparation. A natural third baseman, he has continued working to improve his comfort at second base, taking regular ground balls over the past two weeks alongside shortstop Willy Adames. That versatility could prove valuable as the Giants sort through their infield options.

Offensively, Schmitt hit .237 with a .706 OPS and set a career high with 12 home runs over 95 games in 2025. He believes those numbers don’t fully reflect what he’s capable of, particularly given the physical limitations he faced.

Now healthy and building back strength, Schmitt enters the new season confident that he’s positioned to take a step forward in 2026.

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