Former SF Giants hurler to finish year in injured list for 3rd straight season

Former SF Giants hurler Anthony DeSclafani put together a memorable 2021 campaign. However, he has dealt with a series of injury setbacks since with the latest coming after the Minnesota Twins announced that he underwent season-ending flexor tendon surgery according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

Former SF Giants hurler to finish year in injured list for 3rd straight season

This will mark the third straight year in which the veteran pitcher finishes the season on the injured list. The latest surgery has an estimated recovery timeline of 13 months, meaning that he would likely miss the start of next year if he decides to continue his career.

The Giants signed DeSclafani to a one-year, $6 million pact before the 2021 season. He was coming off of a 2020 year in which he was limited to just nine appearances with the Cincinnati Reds due to a shoulder strain.

The right-handed pitcher revitalized his career with San Francisco in 2021, posting a 3.17 ERA, 3.62 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, and and a 3.62 SO/W ratio in 31 starts. It was the best season of his career and the Giants rewarded him with a three-year, $36 million pact.

Unfortunately, DeSclafani dealt with injuries almost as soon as that deal went into effect. He struggled through five appearances in 2022 before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery. The numbers were more of the same last year as he dealt with shoulder and elbow ailments. He received a PRP injection in July, shutting him down for the remainder of the year after 19 outings.

Given the injury concerns, the Giants could not count on the 35-year-old to handle any type of meaningful workload in 2024 despite being under contract for one more season. Plus, his hold on a roster spot was tenuous at best in the offseason.

These became moot points after the Giants shipped him along with Mitch Haniger to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray. He was moved once more, this time to the Twins in a five-player deal.

The Twins held out hope that DeSclafani would be able to return to the mound in 2024. However, those hopes were dashed after he sustained a forearm strain during spring training. The nine-year veteran will enter free agency next season, but given the number of injuries he has had, he has to weigh whether it even makes sense to give it one more shot.