Giants’ Matt Chapman Had Choice Words for Casey Schmitt After Error vs. Padres

The San Francisco Giants have started Rafael Devers at designated hitter in each of their first six games of the season. He has yet to start at first base.

Perhaps it’s time to consider putting him in the field after Wednesday’s game.

In the fifth inning of the Giants’ game with the San Diego Padres third baseman Matt Chapman fielded a chopper off the bat of Xander Bogaerts. It was not an easy play, and Chapman had to flip the ball from his glove to his throwing hand quickly. His throw to first baseman Casey Schmitt was also a bit high. But Schmitt hit the ball with his glove as he tried to catch it. Unfortunately, he didn’t catch it. It led to a run and gave San Diego a 2-0 lead.

Chapman was credited with the error. When the players met on the mound during a visit, Chapman had some choice words for Schmitt, some that are not suitable for print.

The Giants’ First Base Situation

Wanna see a third baseman unhappy with his first baseman?

pic.twitter.com/l8ojfATH6c
— Matthew Postins (@PostinsPostcard) April 1, 2026

After the game, both Chapman and Schmitt owned up to what happened and said it was water under the bridge, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic.

Matt Chapman on that moment with Casey Schmitt on the mound: “We’re all brothers here. It’s the heat of the moment. I already talked to Casey. It’s all good.”

Schmitt also said all is fine: “We’re trying to win games. I’m not mad about it.”
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) April 1, 2026

Entering spring training, the Giants’ goal was to use Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge at first base and designated hitter. One would start in the field, and one would be the DH. The idea was to keep both big bats in the lineup every day.

It didn’t quite work out. Devers developed a hamstring issue early in camp and while it hasn’t really hindered him, manager Tony Vitello admitted at the start of the season that Devers was still dealing with it. So, San Francisco has kept Devers at DH every day.

Eldridge, it was determined, needed more time in the minor leagues. After a hot start, their No. 1 prospect’s bat started to show signs of regression, especially when it came to his 45% strikeout rate. San Francisco didn’t want to drop him into the starting lineup on opening day, so he’s back at Triple-A Sacramento. He’s also learning more about playing first base and needs more reps there, too.

That left Schmitt to play first base for the season’s first six games. It’s not exactly his best position, either. Wednesday was just his 24th Major League game at first base. He’s played more games at second base, third base and shortstop. He made the team as a utility player but so far he’s only played first base.

It may be time to drop Devers into the fire at first base when the Giants return home to host the New York Mets in a four-game series on Thursday. While Schmitt wasn’t charged with that error, it seems clear that he had a chance to catch it and that Chapman, who has multiple Gold Gloves at third base, believes he should have caught it.

Perhaps Devers wouldn’t have done any better. But it might be time to give the slugger a shot at the position.