Another key SF Giants pitcher is nearing a return after beginning a rehab assignment

Erik Miller is nearing a return from an elbow sprain. However, he is not the only SF Giants pitcher who could be returning soon. On Sunday, Landen Roupp began a rehab assignment with the Sacramento River Cats, per the team's transaction log.

Another key SF Giants pitcher is nearing a return after beginning a rehab assignment

Roupp has been on the injured list since the end of July with elbow inflammation. The good news is the Giants did not believe it was serious.

Shayna Rubin of The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Roupp was scheduled to throw 50 pitches in his rehab assignment, and he did exactly that. He allowed two earned runs with four strikeouts and zero walks in three innings of work. Rubin hints that this could be Roupp's only rehab outing.

The return of Roupp would be a boost to the starting rotation. Logan Webb and Robbie Ray have held down the front of the rotation. Justin Verlander has worked out of the back of the rotation, but the rest of that unit has been a question mark lately.

Carson Whisenhunt has made three starts for San Francisco, and Kai-Wei Teng has appeared in two games. Neither pitcher has thrown well enough to stake a claim on a rotation spot down the stretch, but the Giants are likely motivated to see what Whisenhunt can do with a longer look.

Roupp should help bolster the front of the rotation once he returns. He was one of the better pitchers in the NL before his injury, and was only getting better as the season progressed. The right-handed pitcher posted a 3.11 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 1.43 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, and a 2.26 SO/W ratio in 20 starts this season. He also has a 0.7 HR/9 rate, so he has been effective at limiting the long ball.

The 26-year-old pitcher has never thrown more than 107.1 innings as a pro, which he did in 2022. He is currently at 101.1 innings this season. The injury likely gave Roupp a much-needed break to be able to finish the season without any restrictions.

Along with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, Roupp has staked a claim for the 2026 rotation. The Giants hope that another young pitcher can finish the season on a strong note to be able to pencil him into the rotation as well.

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