Giants' Luis Arraez out of lineup day after getting kicked in his hand

Arraez suffered a hand injury while fielding a grounder at second base, but X-rays showed no breaks.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:34pm by

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player fielding a ground ball at second base, with the figure and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the dynamic motion and energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a Giants infielder making a play at second base, reflecting the fragmented nature of the game and the uncertainty surrounding Arraez's injury.San Francisco Today

San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez was out of the lineup for the team's game against the Baltimore Orioles, a day after getting kicked in his throwing hand while fielding a grounder. Manager Tony Vitello said Arraez likely could play if needed, but with a day off on Monday, the team wanted to give him more time to recover and get to 'feeling great' rather than just 'good enough to play'.

Why it matters

Arraez has been an important part of the Giants' lineup this season, so his absence could impact the team's performance in the series finale against the Orioles. Hand injuries can be tricky for hitters, so the Giants are taking a cautious approach to ensure Arraez is fully healthy before returning to action.

The details

Arraez had some stiffness in his affected fingers, but an X-ray on Saturday night showed no breaks. He was able to record a hit and swing a bat, but swinging can be uncomfortable with a hand injury. With Arraez out, Christian Koss started at second base, and the Giants made a few other lineup changes, including sitting right-handed hitting outfielder Harrison Bader against the lefty starter.

  • Arraez was injured on Saturday, April 11, 2026 while fielding a grounder at second base.
  • The Giants' game against the Orioles on Sunday, April 12, 2026 was the day after Arraez's injury.

The players

Luis Arraez

The San Francisco Giants' second baseman who suffered a hand injury after getting kicked while fielding a grounder on Saturday.

Tony Vitello

The manager of the San Francisco Giants.

Christian Koss

The Giants' second baseman who started in place of the injured Arraez.

Casey Schmitt

The Giants' designated hitter.

Harrison Bader

The Giants' outfielder who was out of the lineup against the left-handed starter.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if it's even a possibility, but that ultimately will be up to him along with our (training staff), and you get almost three days of recovery so he can get to feeling great, instead of just good enough to play, in an ideal world.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

“From my vantage point, his BP swings are, on particular days, the best out of everybody, or at the very least his BP is impressive fundamentally. Even with the game action, he's just missing pitches. It kind of doesn't make sense, a little bit of a head scratcher.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

“From there, I'm seeing the ball a lot better and I'm taking better swings at better pitches.”

— Patrick Bailey, Giants Catcher

“When he's up to bat and it looks like there's intent in his swing, the outcome, for me, is good, but when that intent isn't there, then it's not the same.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

What’s next

The Giants have a day off on Monday, April 13, 2026 before starting a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. The team is hopeful that the extra rest will allow Arraez to fully recover from his hand injury and be ready to return to the lineup against the Reds.

The takeaway

The Giants are taking a cautious approach with Arraez's hand injury, prioritizing his long-term health over playing him in the series finale against the Orioles. This reflects the team's focus on keeping their key players healthy and ready for the stretch run, even if it means sacrificing short-term performance.