The San Francisco Giants' bullpen took a hit on Saturday, with reliever Matt Gage placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left elbow strain. This comes after Gage threw a career-high 51 pitches in 1 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, six earned runs, and walking two batters. The 29-year-old right-handed pitcher had been struggling with arm discomfort and a knee injury, which may have contributed to his recent poor performance.
Gage's velocity was significantly down by the end of his appearance, and he was only throwing fastballs. This suggests that his elbow strain may be more severe than initially thought, and Tommy John surgery could be on the horizon. Gage himself seems resigned to the possibility, stating that he hasn't had an MRI yet but is likely to undergo the procedure on Monday in San Francisco.
This is not the first time Gage has dealt with injuries this season. He missed time in early June with a knee injury and had been pitching through recent elbow discomfort. First-year Giants manager Tony Vitello acknowledged that Gage's performance hadn't been the same since his return from the knee injury, attributing it to arm discomfort.
The Giants' bullpen has been under pressure lately, with reliever Keaton Winn also landing on the injured list following appearances on three consecutive days. Vitello emphasized the importance of communication between pitchers and management, stating that it's a fine line between being tough and stubborn. He encouraged pitchers to be strategic and smart about their health, especially when dealing with injuries.
Gage's IL stint comes as the Giants look to bounce back against the Rockies on Saturday night. With a 5.60 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings this season, Gage's performance has been a concern. His previous season high in pitches was 37, and this is the only other time he has surpassed 30 pitches this year.
The Giants will now turn to other relievers to fill the void left by Gage's absence. The team faces a challenging task with Robbie Ray (3.39 ERA) taking on Sean Sullivan (8.64 ERA) on Saturday night. The Giants Talk Podcast is available for download, providing further insights into the team's performance and strategy.
