New hard-throwing SF Giants reliever can step into spotlight after latest injury

The SF Giants got some bad news on Tuesday as their closer Randy Rodríguez landed on the IL with elbow soreness. While Ryan Walker will take over closer duties, do not sleep on Joel Peguero as a potential late-inning option for the team.

Rodríguez had been struggling adjusting to the closer role as of late, so it makes sense if he was dealing with a physical ailment. At this point, it is probably best to shut him down the rest of the year so he does not risk further injury since the team will really need him next season.

Joel Peguero can take on bigger role with SF Giants after latest injury news

Even before the injury, it seemed like Walker could be pitching his way back into more save opportunities as he has looked like the 2024 version of himself as of late. He definitely should be the primary closer option, but the Giants should still try out other options in late-inning situations to see what they have the rest of this year.

Peguero is a very interesting bullpen arm given the velocity he brings to the table. He threw a pitch over 102 miles per hour in his MLB debut and has put up good numbers so far as he has yet to allow an earned run in 3 and 2/3 innings of work thus far.

After the Giants shook up their bullpen by trading away setup man Tyler Rogers and closer Camilo Doval, they have had a bit of a tough time figuring things out in the bullpen. The rest of this season gives them a great opportunity to figure out what they have going into next year.

Peguero is obviously still very green, but it would not be the worst idea for manager Bob Melvin to throw him in during a tight game in the 8th inning or maybe even let him try to close a game out if Walker needs a rest. He has 35 saves in his minor league career so he is not a complete stranger to the ninth inning.

Whenever a guy throws that hard, it is hard not to dream about their potential. If the 28-year-old has finally put all the pieces together perhaps he could develop into a reliable late-inning arm for San Francisco.

Of course, it could just as easily go the other way but in a lost season like this the Giants have nothing to lose by seeing how Peguero acquits himself in tight situations.

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