SF Giants RHP Kevin Gausman placed on family leave

SF Giants ace Kevin Gausman was placed on emergency family leave after his wife was hospitalized with pregnancy complications. The Giants placed the right-handed pitcher on leave earlier Friday and manager Gabe Kapler informed reporters in a press conference that Gausman was at home with his wife, Taylor, was had to be hospitalized. Taylor is doing well, according to Kapler, and it is expected to be a day-to-day situation. To fill his spot in the rotation, Logan Webb was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.

SF Giants ace Kevin Gausman was placed on family leave.

While the former first-round pick took a huge step forward last season with the Giants, Gausman has emerged as a bonafide ace in 2021. In 18 starts, Gausman has completed 114.2 innings, struck out 133, walked just 30, and recorded a 1.73 ERA. Needless to say, the Giants will surely miss his presence in the rotation for as long as he’s out. Still, assuming Gausman’s wife continues trending in the right direction, he could rejoin the rotation over the next few days.

Webb has been a mainstay in the Giants rotation over the past three seasons. However, after struggling to work deep into games through 2019 and 2020, he seemed to take another step forward this season. In his age-24 season, Webb has completed 52 innings, struck out 58, walked 17, and recorded a 3.63 ERA across 11 appearances (10 starts). Webb was optioned to Triple-A to continue building his arm strength. While he’s been recalled quicker than the front office probably expected, Webb could find a way to stick in the rotation even after Gausman returns.

As the SF Giants begin the second half of the regular season, starting pitcher Kevin Gausman has been placed on emergency medical leave to be with her wife following a health scare. Hopefully, his wife recovers quickly and Gausman can rejoin the rotation. Until then, Logan Webb will fill in.