Key SF Giants reliever nearing a return to the mound, begins rehab stint

Keaton Winn is nearing a return to the SF Giants. On Friday night, the right-handed reliever began a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League Giants, completing one scoreless inning.

Winn has been on the injured list with an elbow strain since June 11. Elbow ailments have plagued him for much of his career. This latest elbow injury came on the heels of Winn pitching in three consecutive days.

Pitchers generally lose effectiveness while pitching in the second half of back-to-back games, but throwing three days in a row is uncommon in today's game. While the Giants did not believe that Winn's injury was considered serious, it did put into question the decision to throw him three days in a row.

This might just be something that the Giants need to monitor during Winn's career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021, and did not return to the mound until 2022. When he did, it marked his first appearance on a pro mound since 2019.

SF Giants right-handed reliever has arguably been the best in the bullpen this year

The righty reliever also underwent a season-ending elbow procedure in 2024, and missed a portion of last season with an undisclosed injury. He came up as a starter but has shifted to the bullpen, as the injuries have piled up.

Winn has emerged as a key bullpen arm, and has arguably been the team's best reliever. He has pitched to a 3.23 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 0.97 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, and a 2.89 SO/W rate across 30.2 frames this season. Right-handed hitters have struggled to a .371 OPS in 67 plate appearances against Winn this season.

The low strikeout rate might be what prevents Winn from handling a setup or closer role, but he can be a key arm in a good bullpen. The Giants do not have a good bullpen, so it would behoove them to look for answers beyond this season.

Outside of Winn and Caleb Kilian, the Giants are light on answers to the bullpen. They have three left-handed relievers, including Erik Miller, Sam Hentges, and Matt Gage, but none of them have been especially effective. That said, Miller is the de facto top lefty out of the bullpen at the moment.

The rest of the bullpen is mostly replaceable at this point. Dylan Smith might be an exception to this. He has looked good in a limited showing, posting a 1.86 ERA in 9.2 innings since coming over from the Detroit Tigers in a trade earlier this season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow