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Randy Rodriguez pitches against the Rangers on June 9, 2024.
On Tuesday August 26, 2025, the San Francisco Giants announced they are placing RHP Randy Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow sprain.
Rodriguez, 25, is in the midst of a breakout season with the Giants. He has logged a 1.78 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 50.2 innings in 2025.
He was even named to the 2025 National League All-Star team, becoming the first relief pitcher that is not a closer to earn the honor in Giants franchise history.
Elbow injuries on the throwing arm are always concerning news for any pitcher. They are even more concerning for a guy who the Giants hope can be their closer in 2026.
But, if the elbow injury isn’t serious and Rodriguez misses the minimum amount of time, it could prove to be a valuable reset for him. Since the All-Star break, Rodriguez has a 6.00 ERA in 9 appearances (he had a 0.71 ERA when he was named to the All-Star team). So, getting a breather may not be the worst thing in the world for a young pitcher who has struggled recently.
Keaton Winn Recalled In Corresponding Move
In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled RHP Keaton Winn.
Winn has had a rough couple of seasons after looking like a future rotation star in April 2024. But, he was very good in a brief recall earlier this month. In 2 appearances in Mid-August, he threw 2 scoreless innings and surrendered only 1 hit and one walk, striking out two batters.
Winn may not be the future rotation star Giants fans once thought he was. But, his pitch arsenal may be a good fit for the back of the bullpen.
Interestingly enough, Winn pitched the final inning in both of his appearances earlier this season. It’s not out of the question that the Giants could give him some late inning opportunities in Randy Rodriguez’s absence.
Bob Melvin pregame: Randy Rodriguez will likely get a second opinion on elbow. Ryan Walker returns to the closer role. Also it’s just a normal day off for Jung Hoo Lee.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) August 26, 2025
However, manager Bob Melvin said the Giants will turn the closer role back over to Ryan Walker, who opened the season as the Giants ninth inning guy.
Walker has a 3.63 ERA this season, a step back from his 1.91 tally in 2024. But he does have 11 saves on the year, 22 saves in his career and he closed out the Giants’ 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday August 24, 2025 in Rodriguez’s absence.
Another Giants Pitcher Out For The Season
The Giants also officially found out on Tuesday August 26, 2025 that starting pitcher Landen Roupp is out for the rest of the season. He took an awkward fall during his most recent start.
The Giants will sorely miss Roupp, who was a breakout star this season as their No. 3 starter. However, it’s not all bad news.
Roupp initially thought he suffered an ACL injury when he was carted off the field. Luckily, he is only dealing with a bone bruise that will sideline him a month.
Landen Roupp said a second opinion confirmed he only has a bone bruise. When he went down, he was sure he had torn his ACL, but all is good there. He’ll be down about four weeks, which pretty much ends a very promising season, but it’s good news overall.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) August 26, 2025
So, at least Roupp will likely be ready for the 2024 season. In his absence. Carson Whisenhunt has made a start for the Giants, who could also recall Kai-Wei Teng or Hayden Birdsong at some point to give them a fifth starter.
Giants fans, are you concerned about Randy Rodriguez’s injury? Are you excited to see Keaton Winn get some more opportunities?
Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Las Vegas Raiders for heavy.com. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman
