Overview
- An MRI on Tuesday found a moderate-to-high-grade sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in right-hander Blade Tidwell’s elbow, the Giants said, and team doctors have recommended surgery; Tidwell was placed on the 15-day injured list and Braxton Roxby was recalled to the roster.
- That type of UCL sprain commonly leads to Tommy John (UCL reconstruction), which typically sidelines pitchers for 12 to 18 months and would likely keep Tidwell out for most or all of the 2027 season.
- Tidwell left Monday’s start at Oracle Park after feeling elbow discomfort and was sent for testing, making this the latest injury in a season that already cost Hayden Birdsong, Trevor McDonald and Carson Whisenhunt their throwing elbows.
- The club has used a near–franchise-record number of players and now carries 24 players on the injured list, prompting the Giants to shut down starters Logan Webb and Landen Roupp for the final week and to audition several minor-league arms in remaining games.
- Losing Tidwell removes one of the few young, controllable rotation options the Giants had been evaluating and increases the chance San Francisco will target outside starting pitching in the offseason to protect next year’s rotation.