SF Giants injury news: Harrison Bader's setback, Trevor McDonald's second opinion

The SF Giants provided injury updates on a pair of players. Tony Vitello told Justice delos Sants of The Mercury News that he expects Harrison Bader back at some point in 2026, but the odds are less likely for Trevor McDonald.

SF Giants injury news: Harrison Bader's setback, Trevor McDonald's second opinion

1. Harrison Bader paused baseball activities

The veteran outfielder had been ramping up baseball activities, but Shayna Rubin of The San Francisco Chronicle reports that he has stopped that process and will now see an ankle specialist.

Bader has been sidelined since the end of May with plantar fasciitis. This was his second stint on the injured list this season. It has been a frustrating year for him in the first year of his two-year, $20.5 million pact.

The Giants signed Bader to help shore up the outfield defense. He has graded out as one of the best defensive outfielders since he made his major league debut in 2017. However, the 32-year-old outfielder has not been able to build any momentum due to the injuries.

The results were not all that encouraging when Bader was healthy. He posted a .557 OPS with five home runs and 14 RBI in 111 plate appearances. However, he continued to play competent defense in center field.

The Giants expect Bader to return before the end of this year. What his role will be remains to be seen.

2. Trevor McDonald is going for a second opinion

The less promising news is that Trevor McDonald landed on the injured list earlier this week with an elbow strain. He is now getting a second opinion.

Tony Vitello does not expect McDonald to return this year, so will have an extended absence. It is a unfortunate finish to a year that showed glimpses of him becoming a major league starter.

Overall, the right-handed hurler tallied a 5.12 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, and a 2.48 SO/W rate across 70.1 frames. This includes a healthy 55.3 percent ground ball rate.

McDonald thrived against right-handed hitters, but struggled against left-handed bats. Teams would often stack their lineups with lefties against McDonald, and that proved to be a challenge. He flashed a good fastball-slider mix, but he will need his changeup to be more effective in those matchups.

The 25-year-old pitcher proved that he could hold down a rotation spot, even if it is in the back up the rotation.

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