From San Francisco Giants On SI · · 3m
21 Giants on the shelf, and what happens next
San Francisco's season is over, but the injury list is the real story heading into 2027.
In brief
San Francisco's season is over, but the injury list is the real story heading into 2027. The Giants' biggest 2027 problem isn't talent, it's that five pitchers are rehabbing Tommy John surgeries and half the roster never made it to September. Originally reported by San Francisco Giants On SI.
Quick answers
- Is it even worth it?
- The Giants have not ruled Adames out, but with nothing on the line, letting him heal fully may serve the team better than a handful of meaningless at-bats.
- What is the key takeaway from 21 Giants on the shelf, and what happens next?
- The Giants' biggest 2027 problem isn't talent, it's that five pitchers are rehabbing Tommy John surgeries and half the roster never made it to September.
Eliminated, but still learning
The Giants are officially out of the 2026 playoffs. The remaining games mean nothing in the standings, but they are a live audition for future strategy.
Twenty one players down
San Francisco's injury report lists 21 players. Some could be back before the final out of 2026, others will still be sitting in 2027 and beyond.
“San Francisco's injury report is staggering, with 21 players currently injured.”
Marcelo Mayer is ramping up
Out since June 26 with a bone stress reaction in his left ulna, Mayer completed a full pregame routine at Oracle Park on September 11 and has been adding baseball activity.
A September return is possible
Mayer's progress points toward another attempt at coming back before the season ends, which would give the Giants a look at him in real games.
Bericoto is further along
The 24-year-old outfielder started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on September 9, working back from a right knee bone bruise.
Only 33 games to judge
Bericoto got into just 33 games this year, hitting .244 with four home runs, 12 RBI and a .672 OPS. That is a thin sample to build a 2027 plan on.
Why the returns matter
Getting either Mayer or Bericoto back lets San Francisco evaluate its young position players before the front office turns fully toward 2027.
“it would give them a chance to evaluate their younger position players”
Willy Adames is murkier
Adames suffered a moderate left elbow sprain on August 27 with a four week timeline, which puts any return in late September at the earliest.
Is it even worth it?
The Giants have not ruled Adames out, but with nothing on the line, letting him heal fully may serve the team better than a handful of meaningless at-bats.
“Would it even be worth getting him back on the field?”
Arms inching back
Sam Hentges is throwing out to 90 feet after a left forearm strain. Jose Butto is recovering from right arm surgery, while Matt Gage's return stalled on elbow discomfort.
Nine who are done
JT Brubaker, Jesus Rodriguez, Keaton Winn, Adrian Houser, Casey Schmitt, Joel Peguero, Daniel Susac, Harrison Bader and Matt Chapman will all finish the year on the injured list.
Surgeries, not strains
Several of those are structural. Schmitt had left knee surgery, Susac fractured his left patella, and Chapman underwent bilateral core muscle surgery.
Two more Tommy Johns coming due
Carson Whisenhunt has surgery scheduled for September 16 and is not expected back until 2028. Trevor McDonald had his on August 5, with 2028 the realistic target.
Three already rehabbing
Hayden Birdsong missed all of 2026 after March surgery. Randy Rodriguez is still recovering from September 2025, and Rowan Wick from November 2025.
Health is the 2027 plan
Five pitchers rehabbing elbows leaves a depth hole that runs deep into next year. Developing Bryce Eldridge matters, but getting bodies back matters just as much.
“it may be just as important to get healthy”
The bottom line
The Giants' biggest 2027 problem isn't talent, it's that five pitchers are rehabbing Tommy John surgeries and half the roster never made it to September.
