Ryan

Walker

Ryan Walker had started the ninth inning with a two-run lead and surrendered a solo homer, a double, and a walk before Bivens took over with one out. Bivens struck out the next batter and hit another to load the bases before inducing a pop up to end the game with his second save of the season.

Walker was solid during Friday’s outing, generating a couple of strikeouts without allowing a hit. It’s the 17th save of the season for the 29-year-old, and there have been a couple of reminders that he was outstanding for the Giants in 2025. It still seems likely that the Giants’ closer for 2026 is not currently on the roster.

The 29-year-old hurler made it look easy in this one, getting Andy Pages on a ground ball to shortstop before retiring Michael Conforto on strikes to end it. Walker continues to excel since being thrust back into the closer’s role following the season-ending injury to Randy Rodriguez. He now holds a 3.81 ERA and 57/17 K/BB ratio over 58 1/3 innings on the season to go with 16 saves and five victories.

Walker was summoned in the eighth inning of a tie game with a runner on and two outs. He hit a batter before getting out of the eighth and started the ninth with the game still tied. He gave up a base hit and walked a batter before a sacrifice bunt moved runners over. Walker then allowed a single on a soft ground ball that would drive in the game-winning run. The 29-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 55/16 K/BB ratio with 15 saves across 57 1/3 innings.

Walker took the mound in the ninth to close out the game with a two-run lead over the Diamondbacks. He worked around a base hit and a walk, keeping Arizona off the board to secure the win and lock down his 15th save of the season.

Yikes. Walker was handed a two-run lead, and he wasn’t able to record a single out while blowing his sixth save of the year. One run scored on a single by Thomas Saggese, and the other two runs crossed on a game-winning double by Jordan Walker. It seems likely that Walker will remain the closer, but his results in 2025 haven’t done a heck of a lot to suggest confidence going forward.

Walker was summoned to close things out in the ninth inning against the Rockies with a three-run lead. He tossed a clean frame, striking out the final batter to end the game with his 13th save of the season. He’ll continue to work as the primary closer through the rest of the season.

Just a crushing blow for the 25-year-old right-hander who blossomed into a dominant force out of the Giants’ bullpen in 2025 and made his first All-Star squad while taking over the closer’s role. He’ll take the weekend to decide what he wants to do, but in all likelihood, he’ll undergo the procedure sooner rather than later. He told reporters that he’s been pitching through elbow discomfort since last season. Given the timing of the procedure, he’s likely to miss most, if not all, of next season. The door is open once again for Ryan Walker to strengthen his job security in the ninth inning and potentially carry the closer’s role into the 2026 season.

Walker was called upon to face Nico Hoerner with a man on first base and two outs with the score tied in the top half of the ninth inning. He needed just four pitches to get the job done, getting Hoerner to fly out to center field. He then became the beneficiary when the Giants walked it off in the home half. With Randy Rodriguez (elbow) sidelined, look for Walker to see the bulk of the save chances for the Giants down the stretch.

With Randy Rodríguez on the injured list nursing an elbow injury, Walker was called on to step in for a save chance against the Cubs on Tuesday. Protecting a two-run lead, he worked around one hit while striking out two batters to convert his 12th save of the season. The 29-year-old right-hander could serve as the Giants’ primary closer while Rodríguez is sidelined.