SF Giants have no good options after Landen Roupp injury news

The SF Giants got some rough news on Friday as starting pitcher Landen Roupp landed on the IL with an elbow injury. With the current state of the team's rotation and starting pitching depth, the Giants really do not have any great options to replace him.

The Giants called up pitcher Tristan Beck to take Roupp's place on the roster. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that manager Bob Melvin said there is no structural damage to Roupp's elbow so the hope is it will just be a normal IL stint rather than him being out for an extended period of time.

SF Giants have no good options after Landen Roupp injury news

It is a shame that Roupp is injured, though. He is having a phenomenal year and has developed into a very strong No. 3 starter in the rotation behind All-Stars Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. In 20 starts on the year and 101 and 1/3 innings pitched, Roupp has a 3.11 ERA with 95 strikeouts compared to 42 walks and a WHIP of 1.43.

He had some struggles earlier in the season, but the front office did not pull the plug on him and showed patience as they let him work things out. Roupp was open about the fact that he felt that same patience would not have been afforded him under the previous regime.

Roupp's arm has been under a lot of stress as he has already almost exceeded his career-high in innings pitched dating back to his minor-league career. Buster Posey has downplayed any sort of innings caps for their young starters.

The news on Roupp comes fresh off the heels of Hayden Birdsong's intense struggles which earned him a demotion to Triple-A. The Giants now only have three starters in their rotation with Webb, Ray, and Justin Verlander.

The Giants have some options to start in their bullpen. Carson Seymour has been a starter all year in Triple-A. Sean Hjelle had to start a game earlier this year against the Los Angeles Dodgers after Kyle Harrison was traded to the Red Sox. Spencer Bivens had to start a game against the Dodgers last year and delivered five excellent innings. Joey Lucchesi was a starter earlier in his career although his arm may not be accustomed to going more than one inning since he has been used as a reliever this year. Tristan Beck has started games for the Giants as well.

There are also some internal options down in Triple-A who the Giants could turn to, although none of those options is exactly dominating in the PCL. The Giants really have no great options right now.

Maybe the Giants will turn to a divisive strategy employed under Farhan Zaidi: the opener. It might be their best option as they try to figure things out ahead of the trade deadline.

Really, Roupp's injury just brings it into even more stark relief that the Giants need to go out and trade for a starting pitcher. Their rotation is in a precarious spot and they need some help due to Birdsong's struggles and Roupp's injury.

More SF Giants news: