SF Giants news: Verlander's return delayed, Eldridge's mash, reinforcement incoming

May 26, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander in the dugout in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 26, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander in the dugout in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The SF Giants are now in the month of June after a somewhat disappointing May given how well their pitching staff performed. Let's take a look at a few key news nuggets as the team tries to bounce back with a solid month.

SF Giants news: Verlander's return delayed, Eldridge's mash, reinforcement incoming

Verlander's return delayed

Veteran starter Justin Verlander has missed his last two starts due to a pectoral issue that landed him on the IL. The hope was that he would only miss those two starts, but Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on social media that Verlander will not be ready to return for his next scheduled turn in the rotation.

She reports that there was not a setback, Verlander is just not quite feeling one hundred percent healthy. At the age of 42, it would be wise for the Giants to err on the side of caution so as not to expose the veteran to further injury.

This means that the young lefty Kyle Harrison will get his third straight start in the rotation. While it will be hard for him to become a permanent fixture of the rotation, he has looked very impressive so far this season especially in his last outing. On Friday against Miami, Harrison pitched five innings without allowing a single run.

Eldridge hits a bomb

While the offense has been very stagnant for the Giants as of late, there has been some offense in the minor leagues. Top prospect Bryce Eldridge hit an absolute bomb in a game for the Richmond Flying Squirrels that went halfway up the batter's eye in center field.

Eldridge is now slashing .280/.350/.512 with seven home runs and 20 runs batted in at Double-A this season. If the offense for San Francisco continues to stagnate into the summer, there will be increased calls to give him a look at the big leagues.

Encarnacion returning soon

The hope is that Jerar Encarnacion will return the Giants soon. He has gotten 15 plate appearances in his minor league rehab assignment and has a few home runs to show for it.

He is likely not going to be a savior for the offense, but he could provide some sort of spark for a team that has really struggled to score runs as of late. The hope was Encarnacion could join the Giants when they return home which is what they are doing tonight to take on the San Diego Padres. We will have to see if Encarnacion is on the roster.

Those are the most recent news nuggets for the Giants as they look to have a nice rebound in the month of June.