The San Francisco Giants announced their starting lineup for the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 14, 2026, notably excluding outfielder Jung Hoo Lee. Lee, who has been a consistent presence this season as the only member of the Giants’ Opening Day lineup without a season-ending injury or trade, was left off the roster for the game in Missouri.
Lee entered the contest batting .276 with 143 hits, nine home runs, 55 RBIs, 63 runs scored and 12 stolen bases across 137 games in the 2026 Major League Baseball season. Despite his solid individual contribution, the Giants have struggled as a team, holding a 62-88 record and sitting in fourth place in the National League West after 150 games.
The Giants had recently suffered a 6-4 loss at home to the San Diego Padres on September 13, followed by a close 2-1 defeat to the Cardinals on September 14, with Lee making a single appearance off the bench during the latter game. The lineup against St. Louis featured Jonah Cox (CF), Bryce Eldridge (1B), Shay Whitcomb (2B), Turner Hill (DH), Brett Harris (3B), Scott Bandura (RF), Andrew Knizner (C), Grant McCray (LF), and Christian Koss (SS).
Justice delos Santos of the Mercury News highlighted Lee’s unique status on the Giants, stating he is the “only member of the Opening Day lineup who hasn’t had a season-ending injury or been traded.” The Giants are preparing for upcoming games, including a series continued in St. Louis and a visit to face the Los Angeles Dodgers starting September 18.
CSB Take
Jung Hoo Lee’s absence from the starting lineup signals a notable shift for the San Francisco Giants amid a challenging season marked by injuries and trades. As the team continues to seek competitive consistency, managing roster rotations and resting key players like Lee could be part of strategic adjustments. Lee’s steady production remains a stabilizing factor, and how the Giants utilize him in the closing games may influence morale and future roster decisions as the organization navigates the final stretch.
Source: Original report
