SF Giants: Health updates on Beede, Wood, and Brebbia

The SF Giants received some encouraging injury-related news on several key arms who expect to make an impact in 2021. Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area noted on Friday that Alex Wood (back), Tyler Beede (elbow), and John Brebbia (elbow) are making progress in their rehab.

The Giants placed Wood on the 10-day injured list with the expectation that he would be able to return close to the end of that timeline. The left-handed hurler underwent a minor back procedure in March, but he was following a throwing program by the end of camp. He took another step in his recovery by throwing a simulated game on Thursday.

SF Giants give a health update on Tyler Beede, Alex Wood, and John Brebbia.

Wood will likely be the lone southpaw in the Giants rotation in 2021 and they will need him to carry a modest workload. In eight seasons, the 30-year-old has registered a 3.45 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, and a 3.21 SO/W ratio. He does not flash premium velocity, but he releases the ball at a unique angle that creates added deception in his delivery.

The veteran starter has reached the 150-inning threshold only four times in his career, so his expected workload is likely to come in under that mark.

On the other hand, both Beede and Brebbia are progressing nicely from Tommy John surgery while throwing twice a week at the alternate site in Sacramento. Beede underwent surgery on his right elbow in March of 2020, so he could begin to see game action within the next month.

With that being said, it may take some time for him to fully rebuild arm strength given that he is a starting pitcher. The timeline is variable. The right-handed hurler had a nice finish to the 2019 season and the hope was that he could build off of that momentum in 2020 before sustaining the injury.

Brebbia underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2020. Following that, the St. Louis Cardinals decided to non-tender him where he then landed with San Francisco. The Giants needed another right-handed bullpen arm and they hope that they will be able to see him on the mound by the second half of the season.

Before the injury, the 30-year-old had become a solid bullpen arm with the Cardinals. In three seasons, he posted a 3.14 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, and a 3.67 SO/W ratio in 161 total appearances. The Giants signed him to a one-year deal for $800,000 but he is under team control for the next two seasons after this one through arbitration, so this could become a long-term stay if he performs.

After a condensed, 60-game season in 2020, the SF Giants will need contributions from a lot of different arms. The good news is that reinforcements are on the way with Wood set to return shortly along with Beede and Brebbia, who are not far behind.