The San Francisco Giants are tied for the worst record in the National League (and second-worst mark in MLB) and now have to endure without their ace starting pitcher.
Logan Webb was placed on the 15-day injured list with right knee bursitis, the team announced Saturday. The move is retroactive to May 6, following Webb’s start against the San Diego Padres during which he lasted just four innings. He allowed six runs and seven hits in the Giants’ 10-5 loss.
After the game, Webb acknowledged that he’s been dealing with an issue in his right knee yet didn’t allow that to excuse his performance.
“I’ve dealt with it for a little while, but it’s still no excuse,” he said, via MLB.com’s Henry Schulman.
The eight-year veteran has allowed four or more runs in three of his eight starts this season, indicating that his knee has been bothering him for longer than he was willing to admit.
However, Webb going on the IL is notable. The right-hander has made 156 consecutive starts without missing his turn in the Giants’ rotation, a streak dating back to 2021. He’s made 32 or more starts in each of the past four seasons.
Giants manager Tony Vitello indicated that Webb going on the IL was for his own good, allowing him to take four or five days off beyond his usual turn in the rotation and not try to make his next start.
“Webby, when he’s out of uniform, he’s a little more rational,” Vitello told reporters (via 95.7 The Game). “You know how competitive he is. Better to keep the long run in mind or the runway of the season that’s still left over.”
Last season was the best of Webb’s career, finishing with a 3.22 ERA in 34 starts. He threw 207 innings and struck out 224 batters. Webb took that success into this year’s World Baseball Classic, in which he allowed only one run in two starts with 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings.
Giants call up two players from Triple-A Sacramento
To fill his spot on the roster, the Giants called up Trevor McDonald from Triple-A Sacramento. In five appearances (four starts) for the River Cats, he compiled a 5.40 ERA with 12 strikeouts and 15 walks in 15 innings.
McDonald, 25, returns to the Giants after making one start for them on Monday. He earned a win in San Francisco’s 3-2 victory over the Padres, allowing one run and two hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings.
Despite that performance, he was sent back to Sacramento in favor of reliever Joel Peguero. McDonald’s appearance was considered a spot start and the Giants believed all five spots in their starting rotation were taken. That’s obviously changed with Webb’s injury.
In addition to McDonald, the Giants also called up catcher Logan Porter to fill the opening created by Patrick Bailey being traded to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. Porter, 30, played in 12 games for Sacramento, slashing .179/.238/.282 in 42 plate appearances.
However, Daniel Susac will likely be the Giants’ starting catcher once he’s activated from the IL. Before being sidelined with a right elbow injury, he was batting .478/.500/.652 in 24 plate appearances.
