Hayden

Birdsong

Birdsong gave up an RBI single to Patrick Wisdsom, but the big blow was a Miles Mastrobuoni dinger with the bases loaded before he exited. It’s just spring training, but Birdsong is trying to win one of the final spots in the rotation. The results have to be much better if that’s going to happen.

Roupp appears on track for a normal spring training after suffering a season-ending bone bruise in his left knee last August. The 27-year-old righty is vying for one of the final spots in San Francisco’s rotation this spring after posting a serviceable 3.80 ERA — 4.25 xERA — 1.48 and 102/45 K/BB ratio across 106 2/3 innings over 22 starts last year. He’ll need to beat out prospects Carson Whisenhunt, Blade Tidwell and swingman Hayden Birdsong to lock up a rotation spot. There’s some appeal in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats.

Birdsong was sent to Triple-A on Tuesday, but there was some thought that he could make his next start in the majors after Landen Roupp was placed on the injured list. That won’t happen, as Birdsong will get at least one turn in the minors. If he pitches well in Sacramento, he could be an option before the end of 2025.

Roupp started to feel the injury while spinning five scoreless frames in a victory over the Braves on Tuesday. No word yet on the severity of the issue or on how long the Giants expect him to be shelved for. Tristan Beck was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move on Friday. We’ll see if the Giants trust the recently demoted Hayden Birdsong enough to return and take Roupp’s place in the rotation or if they’ll go in a different direction.

Birdsong will head back to Triple-A after losing the strike zone and giving up five runs without retiring a batter last night. He had a 2.79 ERA in five starts and 11 relief appearances through June 12, but he’d since given up 20 earned runs and walked 18 in 17 1/3 innings over his last five starts. Carson Seymour was called up and could jump into the rotation in his place next week. Carson Whisenhunt could also be an option, and there’s the chance the Giants could trade for a starter before the deadline.

Ouch. Besides the walks, Birdsong also hit a batter and surrendered a double. Just six of his 25 pitches went as strikes. Birdsong, who hadn’t pitched since July 6, came into the night already having walked 13 over 13 innings in his previous three starts. One imagines there’s a good chance the Giants will send him down after this; even if they don’t want to just give up on him for the short term, they’re going to need a fresh arm for the next couple of days.

The 23-year-old right-hander scattered three hits on the evening, though he also issued five free passes. The lone tally against him came on a solo shot off the bat of Tyler Soderstrom in the fourth inning. The poor command led to an elevated pitch count of 90 (46 strikes) through five innings, which prohibited him from working deeper into the game. Birdsong got 10 whiffs on the evening while posting a solid CSW of 29 percent. He’ll see if he can build off of this strong start and further improve upon his 4.11 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 68/33 K/BB ratio (65 2/3 innings) when he takes on the Dodgers at home on Saturday.

Birdsong looked sharp through two clean innings before unraveling immediately afterwards. He gave up a run in the third on a base and a base hit, then threw 10 straight balls to start the third. After issuing two walks, Jake McCarthy took him deep for a three-run blast. Birdsong’s day would be done after four innings at 79 pitches. He struck out six. The 23-year-old right-hander will take a 4.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 62/28 K/BB ratio across 60 2/3 innings into a start against the Athletics in Sacramento on Sunday.

The 23-year-old right-hander struggled with his command in this one, issuing four free passes while recording only one strikeout in the ballgame. He also couldn’t keep the ball in the yard, as Kyle Stowers tagged him for a three-run homer in the opening inning and Agustin Ramirez added a mammoth two-run shot in the third. Birdsong got seven whiffs on 76 pitches on the day while posting a miserable CSW of only 18 percent. He’ll look to bounce back as he carries a disappointing 4.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 56/24 K/BB ratio (56 2/3 innings) into Tuesday’s matchup against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

The canary in the coal mine tonight was Boston’s No. 8 and No. 9 hitters delivering a double and homer in the third. Still, while the Red Sox hit Birdsong pretty good tonight, but they also took away his rotation competition by acquiring Kyle Harrison in the Rafael Devers deal, making this a net win for Birdsong. He’ll carry a 3.25 ERA into a favorable matchup against the Marlins next week.