Carson

Whisenhunt

It’s the worst-case scenario outcome. Whisenhunt has been recommended to undergo elbow surgery, according to a team statement, after an MRI revealed the structural damage. It’s a significant hit to San Francisco’s starting pitching depth heading into 2027 and beyond. The 25-year-old is likely to miss all of next season given the timing of the procedure. There should be some additional clarity on the exact type of procedure and recovery timeline in the coming weeks.

Whisenhunt is slated to undergo an MRI that will determine the severity of the issue. The 25-year-old, who has been one of the better pitching prospects in San Francisco’s system for a couple years, is highly likely to miss the final months of the season. The hope is that he won’t require surgery, which would require an extended absence that would stretch into next season.

Whisenhunt said this felt different than the elbow sprain that cost him the final two months of 2023, and he’s hoping it might just be a pinched nerve. "[I’ve] never really felt anything like this,” he said after the game. “I don’t really know kind of where to be at with it. So just kind of play it by ear and get the MRI tomorrow and then go from there.” The Giants could recall Matt Wilkinson if Whisenhunt goes on the IL.

That doesn’t sound great. Whisnehunt appeared to be in some real discomfort when he left the game with a trainer rather abruptly with two outs in the third inning. He finished with three strikeouts over 2 2/3 scoreless frames. It certainly seems like he’s headed to the injured list.

Whisenhunt appeared to be dealing with some sort of arm issue and left after tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out three and only issued one walk. He was staked to an early five-run lead, but wound up departing after just 47 pitches. There should be an update on his status after the contest.

Matt Wilkinson is being promoted without the promise of a rotation spot, but it seems like it’d be fine to give him Whisenhunt’s. This drops Whisenhunt to 3-4 with a 7.03 ERA and a 23/20 K/BB in 32 innings over seven starts. Middle relief might suit him better, given that he has just one above average pitch (his changeup). If he stays in the rotation, Whisenhunt will face the Red Sox on Sunday.

Whisenhunt stranded the bases loaded in the first inning, then gave up a run on a sacrifice fly in the second. After loading the bases in each of the first two innings, he allowed just two more baserunners as he pitched into the sixth inning. A walk with two outs would end his day at 96 pitches. He struck out two. The 25-year-old left-hander will take a 6.11 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and a 22/18 K/BB ratio across 28 innings into a start against the Guardians in Cleveland next Tuesday.

Whisenhunt has lost all three of his starts since his recall, giving up 14 runs and walking nine in 11 2/3 innings. The Giants intended to give him a long look, so he’ll probably stay in the rotation for now and face Houston next week. There isn’t much here to be optimistic about, though.

Whisenhunt allowed seven hits and nine hard-hit balls and walked four before his early exit. He still figures to stay in the Giants rotation with the team set to sell prior to Monday’s deadline, but there just isn’t much of interest here, given his lack of control and below average fastball. His excellent changeup can only do so much. He’s due to face the Rangers next.

The Giants didn’t have a starting pitcher listed, but it will be Whisenhunt, who allowed four runs in five innings against the Angels his last time out. The performance was more encouraging than the stat line, as Whisenhunt leaned into his changeup for 15 whiffs and 76 percent strikes. That’s an approach that should work for the left-hander as long as he can locate his fastball up in the zone. He will likely remain in the Giants’ rotation for the rest of the season and could emerge as a streaming option.