McDonald UCL sprain clouds Giants game today outlook
Trevor McDonald’s moderate right-elbow UCL sprain makes him unlikely to return this season, while outfielder Harrison Bader has been shut down with left plantar fasciitis—news that hangs over any Giants game today after San Francisco’s battered 1-5 road trip home. Manager Tony Vitello said McDonald’s chances of pitching again in 2026 are “less likely,” though a second opinion this weekend will clarify the next steps.
Key Takeaways
- McDonald, 25, has a moderate UCL sprain after exiting Monday’s start; he will seek a second opinion over the weekend.
- Vitello said McDonald will miss “a good chunk of time” and is less likely than Bader to return in 2026.
- Bader is shut down from baseball activity due to continued left plantar fasciitis soreness and will see a specialist Monday.
- In 14 starts, McDonald has a 5.12 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings; Bader has played only 30 games this year.
What happened to Trevor McDonald’s elbow?
The Giants announced before Friday’s series opener with the Angels that right-hander Trevor McDonald has a moderate UCL sprain. He left his Monday start against the Kansas City Royals with what was first called a right elbow strain; further imaging produced Friday’s update.
According to MLB.com, McDonald will obtain a second opinion over the weekend, when the club expects a clearer treatment path. Vitello stressed he will miss time “for sure,” and at minimum “a good chunk of time.”
The Mercury News noted the worst-case path would be Tommy John surgery, which would end his 2026 season and likely sideline him for most or all of 2027. MLB Trade Rumors reported it remains unclear whether surgery is on the table after the second opinion.
Will Harrison Bader return for a Giants game today or later?
Bader will not play anytime soon. He has been shut down from baseball activity because of continued soreness from left plantar fasciitis, an issue that has kept him out since late May. On Monday he will travel to Indianapolis to consult foot and ankle specialist Dr. David Porter.
Asked whether either player could return this season, Vitello said he does think Bader could, while calling McDonald’s chances “less likely.” Bader signed a two-year deal worth a reported $20.5 million last offseason but has appeared in only 30 games, hitting .170/.198/.358 with five home runs and 14 RBIs.
“Every time he picks up some momentum, there’s a little bit of discomfort or pain,” Vitello said, explaining why the club is pausing activity rather than cycling through more resets.
How does this change the Giants’ pitching picture?
McDonald had held a rotation spot since early May—his first sustained big-league run after brief stints in 2024 and 2025. Over 14 starts he owns a 5.12 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings. MLB Trade Rumors noted Logan Webb and Robbie Ray were lined up for the first two games of the Angels series, with Sunday’s starter still unsettled in what would have been McDonald’s turn.
Fans tracking a Giants game today should expect the injury fallout to linger beyond one weekend: McDonald’s season looks largely finished pending the second opinion, while Bader’s timeline stretches into a specialist visit and further recovery. For more buzz and analysis across sports and beyond, explore Future Tech & AI Wonders on BlasterPost.