Giants' Jerar Encarnacion Fractures Hand, Expected to Miss 6-12 Weeks

Jerar Encarnacion of the San Francisco Giants has been diagnosed with a fractured left hand, initially thought to be just a jammed finger from a diving catch during a spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians. The injury could sideline him for an estimated 6 to 12 weeks, impacting the Giants' offensive plans as he was expected to be their primary designated hitter this season. In his absence, Wilmer Flores is likely to take on more DH responsibilities. Encarnacion's brief MLB career has shown promise, with impressive batting statistics, but concerns about his defensive skills remain. The Giants may struggle to secure games with a focus on pitching and defense, making Encarnacion's loss significant. The team is still hopeful for other players, like Jung Hoo Lee, who are in recovery.