{"id":632546,"date":"2026-03-19T23:18:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T23:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/632546\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T23:18:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T23:18:31","slug":"sf-giants-lose-hayden-birdsong-for-2026-season-to-tommy-john-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/632546\/","title":{"rendered":"SF Giants lose Hayden Birdsong for 2026 season to Tommy John surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. \u2014 Hayden Birdsong<\/a> didn\u2019t get the second opinion he was seeking after visiting Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas this week, and now the Giants<\/a>\u2018 young starter will miss the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Meister will surgically repair the ulnar collateral ligament in Birdsong\u2019s right elbow, otherwise known as Tommy John surgery, ruling out the 24-year-old right-hander until at least early next season.<\/p>\n

The operation typically comes with a timetable of about 12-16 months for a full recovery.<\/p>\n

\"GiantsHayden Birdsong will miss the 2026 season and undergo Tommy John surgery. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Giants announced Birdsong\u2019s decision Thursday and said he will undergo the procedure next week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to [say] you\u2019re happy for him, based on the circumstances, but it is nice that after a few days of muddy waters to have some clarity,\u201d manager Tony Vitello<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

Birdsong said he felt a \u201cpop\u201d and a \u201csnap\u201d in his elbow after throwing a curveball on the second-to-last pitch of what turned out to be his final outing of the spring last Tuesday. An MRI revealed a Grade 2 sprain of his UCL and a strain in his forearm, indicating there was structural damage.<\/p>\n

Vitello said Birdsong was \u201cconvicted\u201d in his decision, even while considering nonsurgical options. The second opinion from Meister, one of the leading specialists in pitchers\u2019 elbow repairs, sealed the deal.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe would just like to move on and make sure there aren\u2019t any creeping thoughts in the back of his head, like, \u2018Am I healthy?\u2019 or this or that,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cJust push forward with what he and others think the best thing is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meister also performed Robbie Ray\u2019s elbow reconstruction in 2022 and Giants minor-leaguer Cole Waites\u2019 operation in 2023. Ray, like Birdsong, had issues in his forearm and elbow.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeister did mine; he\u2019s been great,\u201d said Ray, who didn\u2019t try to influence Birdsong one way or the other. \u201cJust trying to be encouraging. Let him know that whatever happens he\u2019s in good hands. Our training staff here is excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"GiantsGiants pitcher Hayden Birdsong\u2019s absence is a blow to the organization\u2019s pitching depth in the minors. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The decision probably doesn\u2019t impact the Giants\u2019 plans for their Opening Day roster \u2014 Birdsong had fallen behind Landen Roupp and Trevor McDonald among their young pitchers \u2014 but losing him for the year is a blow to their pitching depth in the upper minors.<\/p>\n

Birdsong likely would have been among the first pitchers called up from Triple-A when a need arose in the Giants\u2019 rotation or bullpen. He has performed both roles and had appeared to make strides in his last time on the mound before, as he described it, a \u201cfreak\u201d pitch put an end to his season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was really sharp his last time out, but you can\u2019t undo the past,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cI think the big thing for him is to take that baton \u2026 and carry it. Because you can still watch the game, have conversations, learn. You\u2019d like to think the best-case scenario, like a lot of guys in the past, you can come back stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n

The loss makes the Giants more likely to call on Carson Whisenhunt, who was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday. Carson Seymour, Blade Tidwell and Tristan Beck are all still in camp and should also be candidates to contribute at some point.<\/p>\n

SF Giants injury report<\/p>\n

Infielder Parks Harber will miss 4-6 weeks after straining his hamstring in a Cactus League game last week. Harber, 24, had been one of the Giants\u2019 spring standouts with a .357 batting average and .996 OPS in 33 plate appearances. He was acquired from the Yankees at the trade deadline last summer in the deal for Camilo Doval.<\/p>\n

A pair of prospects were ruled out from the Giants\u2019 spring showcase game Thursday night, including highly touted shortstop Josuar Gonzalez. The 18-year-old top prospect suffered a mild hamstring strain in minor-league action at Papago Park earlier this week. Johnny Level, another infield prospect, also missed the game with low back tightness. <\/p>\n

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