[mdtoday = Reporter Kim Gyo-sik] San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo extended his hitting streak to five games but exited early after experiencing a sudden back spasm.
Lee started as the leadoff hitter and right fielder on May 19, 2026 (local time) at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., in a road matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He finished 1-for-2, nudging his season batting average to 0.268.
In the top of the first, Lee popped out to left field. In the top of the third, with one out and a runner on second, he turned on Zac Gallen’s third pitch—a slider—and ripped a one-out single to right. The ball registered an exit velocity of about 99.3 mph (roughly 160 km/h). That hit extended his streak to five games, but he was later forced out at second on a grounder and did not score.
Lee completed the top of the third defensively, but the Giants replaced him with Will Brennan before the bottom of the fourth and he did not return. Local outlets raised the possibility that the substitution was injury-related.
Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News’ San Francisco reporter, posted on social media that Lee was removed due to a back spasm. Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reported the same information.
The Giants have not provided an official update on Lee’s exact condition or the results of any detailed examinations. Local media sources, however, expect the injury to be minor.
With Lee unavailable, San Francisco fell to Arizona 2–12. The loss dropped the Giants to 20–28 on the season, keeping them fourth in the National League West.
The club will determine Lee’s return timeline after further evaluations.
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