SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Jerar Encarnacion #59 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning at Oracle Park on September 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
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The San Francisco Giants entered the 2026 season hoping to build on some progress in acquiring marquee talent for the roster, but not every personnel decision has paid off as hoped.
While free agent acquisition Luis Arraez has exceeded expectations, many of the team’s other recent additions, including Rafael Devers and Matt Chapman, are playing below their contract value so far. And one of the team’s more intriguing depth pieces, who was a member of the Opening Day roster, has now been pushed out of Major League Baseball entirely after his own disappointing start.
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As the Giants continue navigating a crowded roster and postseason aspirations, former outfielder Jerar Encarnacion has found a new opportunity overseas shortly after he was cut from the team.
His departure comes just months after San Francisco gave him a chance to carve out a larger role at the major league level and two years after he made his debut with the franchise.
“The Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan confirmed the signings of right-hander Osvaldo Bido and outfielder Jerar Encarnacion on Friday,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco reported last week. “Encarnacion, a client of A&F Sports Agency, opened the season with the Giants. He’s out of minor league options, so San Francisco was initially reluctant to cut him loose. He worked mostly as a bench bat but picked up a handful of starts in the corner outfield or at first base. He started the season slowly, hitting .176 without a home run across 35 plate appearances.”
The move effectively closes the door on Encarnacion's latest major league opportunity after a difficult start to the season. All told, in 279 major-league at-bats with the Giants across three seasons, he slashed .223/.248/.425 while making starts in right field, left field and at first base.
For a player who flashed considerable power potential throughout his professional career, the lack of offensive production made it difficult for the Giants to continue carrying him on the roster and they designated him for assignment last month.
Encarnacion ultimately elected to pursue a fresh start overseas rather than continue searching for another opportunity within affiliated baseball.
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“The additions come at a crucial time for the 2024 Japan Series champions, who recently released left-handed pitcher Austin Cox following a season-ending injury and saw veteran first baseman Dayan Viciedo retire in May,” World Baseball Network’s Yuri Karasawa reported. “The BayStars are off to a disappointing 25-34-2 start and currently sit 7.5 games out of a postseason spot, with problems emerging across multiple facets of the team.”
That context helps explain why Yokohama was willing to invest in a player with recent major league experience. And for Encarnacio, a strong showing in Nippon Professional Baseball could potentially create a pathway back to MLB in the future.
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