Cole Waites hasn’t pitched since July, and he won’t pitch again for at least a year.
Waites, 25, underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, the Giants announced. The UCL reconstruction surgery has a timeline of 12 to 16 months for recovery.
Waites came on strong at the end of the 2022 season, flashing a fastball that peaked in the high-90s — the type of heater that plays for late-inning relief pitchers. But he struggled this season and only appeared three games for the Giants.
For the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, Waites posted a 6.16 ERA in 30.2 innings. He struck out 32 batters — more than one per inning — but also walked 27.
The Giants’ bullpen has been formidable without Waites, particularly with the emergence of rookie Ryan Walker. Walker has pitched in practically every possible inning, posting a 2.13 ERA while doing so.
Giants relievers have pitched the most innings in MLB, registering the 12th-best ERA.
Had Waites been fully healthy, he likely would’ve had a chance to compete for a role in the 2024 bullpen during spring training. Instead, he’ll be rehabbing from the most serious arm surgery a pitcher can undergo.
- Top shortstop Marco Luciano returned to Sacramento’s lineup for the first time in over a month as he was dealing with a hamstring injury. In his first action back, he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.
Luciano debuted earlier this year and, like any of the Giants’ 40-man players in Sacramento, could be an option for San Francisco down the stretch. Brandon Crawford has been making more solid contact recently (he has 12 hard-hit balls of his last 18 connections) but has dipped below .200 on the season. As the Giants’ search for consistent power continues, Luciano could become an option.
- Patrick Bailey returned from the concussion IL for Wednesday’s game. Before getting in the squat, he said he felt good and ready to roll.
Bailey described the symptoms of his third concussion of his life as mild. With 17 games remaining, the Giants expect to have him in the lineup as much as he can physically bare it. Although he’s already played the longest season of his career, he’s by far San Francisco’s best catcher, and one of their most valuable players. In the playoff hunt, this is when you empty the tank.
- The Giants anticipate activating Michael Conforto off the 10-day injured list during their upcoming four-game series in Denver. The most logical move to create a roster space for him would involve either Casey Schmitt or Paul DeJong, given Luis Matos’ emergence in the outfield.