GOOD AND BAD NEWS: The Giants Suffer Another Terrible Injury Setback But Fans Breathe Easy Confirming The Returns Of Another Highly Gifted Experience Star

In a troubling development for the San Francisco Giants, left-handed reliever Erik Miller has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left elbow sprain—a diagnosis that, as reported by The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser, can often signal deeper concerns like UCL damage.

Manager Bob Melvin expressed cautious optimism, suggesting the team may have “caught it at the right time.” That hope hinges on early detection and an MRI showing no structural damage—though in a sport riddled with elbow-related setbacks, it’s hard not to view that as at least partially wishful thinking.

Miller, the Giants’ only lefty in the bullpen, has been an effective but high-risk option all season. Despite control issues (notably, a high walk rate), he had climbed to #4 in the Bullpen Trust Power Rankings, thanks to his knack for escaping jams and generating outs. But this injury is the latest chapter in a career already marred by a 2021 rotator cuff strain, adding to concerns about his long-term durability.

In response, the Giants are expected to turn to Scott Alexander, a familiar face who previously served in a de facto LOOGY role before MLB’s three-batter minimum made that less viable. Alexander has had an up-and-down run: excellent with the Giants in 2022 (1.04 ERA in 17.1 IP), shaky in 2023 (4.66 ERA), decent for Oakland in 2024 (2.56 ERA), and disastrous with Colorado this year (6.06 ERA, 7.01 FIP).

Replacing Miller “in the aggregate” seems to be the Giants’ approach—counting on veteran depth and system-wide adjustments rather than a one-for-one swap. That gamble may not be as risky as it sounds. Even without left-handed specialists, the Giants’ right-handed-heavy pitching staff has handled left-handed hitters well:

• 3.85 FIP vs. LHB (6th in MLB)
• 3.71 ERA vs. LHB (8th)
• Only 36 home runs allowed to lefties, tied for 4th-fewest in the majors

Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions undoubtedly help, but so does the staff’s ability to limit slugging damage. Lefties are batting just .239/.317/.384 against Giants pitching — league-average production that the club has managed to keep in check despite lacking traditional lefty matchups.

 

 

 

Still, losing Miller leaves a noticeable gap, especially when the bullpen is already a volatile and injury-prone unit. If rest and rehab can get him back by late summer, the Giants may yet benefit from his services down the stretch. Until then, Melvin and Co. will need to mix and match — and hope that experience and depth can outweigh raw stuff.

Here’s hoping Melvin’s optimism proves true — because for a team fighting to stay afloat in the NL West, this isn’t the kind of bullpen question they can afford to get wrong.