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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 01: Starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong #60 of the San Francisco Giants talks with hitting coach J.P. Martinez #87 during the fourth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 01, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Opening Day is less than two weeks away, and the San Francisco Giants still do not have a clear picture of what their bullpen will look like. With a wide-open competition for spots and several young arms trying to force their way onto the roster, the last thing they needed was more uncertainty. They got it on Thursday.

Right-hander Hayden Birdsong developed elbow soreness during his Tuesday outing against the Cleveland Guardians and will undergo further evaluation, manager Tony Vitello confirmed after San Francisco’s 3-3 tie with the Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old had been building a case for a bullpen spot after a difficult 2025 campaign, and the timing could not be much worse. San Francisco opens their season March 25, and the results of Birdsong’s tests will go a long way in shaping how the Giants construct their relief corps.

Giants’ Bullpen Picture Gets Murkier

For Birdsong, the injury is the latest setback in a frustrating stretch. He excelled out of the bullpen early in 2025, posting a 2.31 ERA across his first 11 relief appearances, before command issues resurfaced after a move to the rotation. He was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in late July and never made it back.

This spring, the Giants had been open to using him in short bullpen stints again. He touched 99 mph in his most recent outing and worked a scoreless inning, but eight runs allowed over 2⅓ innings in his earlier Cactus League appearances had already put him behind in the competition. The elbow news complicates things further. “Obviously on a personal level you want what’s best for each one of these guys,” Vitello said.

Giants Have Other Arms Stepping Up

While Birdsong awaits his results, others have taken advantage of the opportunity. Trevor McDonald has been one of the standouts in camp, carrying a 1.80 ERA over ten innings with 11 strikeouts and just two walks across his Cactus League appearances. Keaton Winn has also impressed, hitting 99 mph and flashing a sharp splitter. He has struck out six and allowed just one run in five outings this spring.

Left-hander Erik Miller, the Giants’ top option out of the bullpen, is due to make his spring debut on Friday after dealing with lower back tightness. He has not faced big league hitters since July 2 last season following a left elbow sprain, making his return one of the more important developments between now and Opening Day. Gregory Santos is also expected back soon after time away on bereavement leave, with Vitello noting the absence will have no bearing on his standing in the competition.

Final Word for San Francisco

Birdsong remains a significant part of the Giants’ long-term thinking. The raw stuff has never been the concern. Command has been, and now the elbow is something to monitor. San Francisco will be watching his test results closely with Opening Day less than two weeks away.

The hope is that it is nothing serious. Right now, nobody knows.

Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins