SF Giants have decision looming on veteran southpaw reliever

The SF Giants bullpen should get a boost soon with the return of Sam Hentges. The decision to activate him from the injured list is due within the next couple of days.

SF Giants have decision looming on veteran southpaw reliever

Hentges began a rehab assignment with the San Jose Giants on April 12. That began his 30-day rehab clock.

In rare instances, the team and player can agree to extend that window. That could be on the table for Hentges, who has not thrown in a major league game in two seasons due to a combination of a shoulder and knee injury. 

The veteran reliever was slowed in spring training due to the lingering effects from these injuries. He was throwing bullpens, but did not graduate to game action until the season started. 

Given that Hentges did not have a normal ramp-up in spring training, he has been given an extended rehab assignment. The Giants did the same thing with Joel Peguero. Peguero was just activated from the injured list. 

On the other hand, Hentges has pitched to a 1.93 ERA with eight strikeouts and six walks in 9.1 rehab innings. The results are not all that important. That said, there has been a notable decline in his fastball velocity to 91.7 MPH. That number has ticked up in recent outings, but still well short of the 95 MPH fastball he displayed when he pitched in 2024.

Hentges underwent shoulder surgery in 2024. The track record for pitchers returning to their pre-surgery form from that type of procedure is mixed. 

The Giants signed Hentges in the offseason, hoping that he could be a big part of this bullpen. The bullpen has been a surprising strength this season. That unit is sixth in baseball with a 3.35 ERA.

The left side of the bullpen has been even better. Erik Miller has emerged as a potential closing option, and Matt Gage has done well in a situational lefty role. The addition of Hentges should bolster that side of the bullpen even more and could give the Giants another leverage option. There should be an update on that front soon.

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