Lefty relief pitcher José Álvarez has been placed on the 60-day injured list, the Giants announced Thursday afternoon.
Álvarez had been awaiting more information on his sore throwing elbow. He was placed on the 15-day on July 7 with left elbow inflammation.
A 60-day IL stint suggests surgery could be an option for Álvarez. If not, he’d be looking at a late-September return.
Álvarez has appeared in 21 games this year, posting a 5.28 ERA. He made 67 appearances in 2021 in his first year with the Giants.
The development comes amid some bullpen turnover for SF. Jake McGee was officially placed on unconditional release waivers Thursday after the club designated him for assignment. The veteran hadn’t gotten the swing-and-miss results on his fastball that made him San Francisco’s saves leader in 2021.
Without McGee and Álvarez, the Giants’ only left-handed relievers are Sam Long and Jarlin García (though Tyler Rogers historically has reverse splits).
To fill an open roster spot, the Giants claimed left-hander Aaron Fletcher off waivers from the Pirates. The reliever has pitched in 19 big league games since debuting in 2020.
With those moves, San Francisco’s 40-man roster — that fluctuates almost daily — appears to be full.