Giants Get Good News After Shortstop Exits Game Early

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames had to leave Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros early due to a back injury, but it appears he won't miss much time. The veteran player exited late in the seventh inning, visibly holding his back after attempting a double play. His performance prior to the injury was also concerning, as he seemed to struggle with his throws.

Adames has been dealing with back issues since June, which has forced him to miss three games, including an early exit on June 28. Manager Tony Vitello made it clear that he had to persuade Adames to leave the game, as his movements indicated he wasn't playing at full speed. The manager's primary concern was preventing any further deterioration of Adames' condition.

Despite the early exit, Vitello doesn't believe Adames needs to be placed on the injured list, though he will likely miss the Giants' next game on Friday. Adames had a breakout season in 2023, hitting 30 homers, but he has struggled to get back on track in 2026. Through 116 games this season, he has only 19 homers and the lowest career OPS at .698. His back issues seem to be impacting his performance, particularly since the beginning of July, where he has posted a .205/.302/.360 slash line with a 90 wRC+.

The Giants are concerned about Adames' back situation, as their shortstop depth is limited. Currently, Adames and Casey Schmitt are the only shortstop options, with Schmitt sidelined for the year due to a torn meniscus. Christian Koss, who has filled in for Adames a couple of times this season, has struggled at the plate with a .433 OPS through 70 at-bats. The Giants hope Adames can recover in time to participate in their next series, which is against the Colorado Rockies starting on Friday at 7:15 p.m. PT.