SAN FRANCISCO — Giants left-hander Alex Wooden received’t throw one other pitch this season.
After touchdown on the injured record firstly of this month with a shoulder impingement, Wooden, 31, was by no means cleared to renew throwing. With lower than three weeks left within the common season after Sunday’s collection finale in opposition to the Dodgers, Wooden and the Giants determined to drag the plug.
“We’re simply in a spot the place it’s in all probability not within the playing cards,” supervisor Gabe Kapler stated, “He hasn’t been cleared but to renew throwing, so we’re going to close him down for the remainder of the season.”
Wooden, who declined reporters’ interview requests earlier than Sunday’s recreation, had hoped to renew throwing this weekend, however he was by no means medically cleared. His final begin got here Aug. 31, permitting 4 runs over 4⅔ innings in a loss to Pittsburgh, earlier than being positioned on the injured record on Sept. 3.
With 16 video games left this season and the Giants out of competition, there was now not the time nor the need for Wooden to return this season. Underneath contract for $12.5 million subsequent season, Wooden is one in every of 5 beginning pitchers due again subsequent season.
After coming into final offseason with 4 open rotation spots behind Logan Webb, solely one of many six starters to spend time within the Giants’ rotation this season — Carlos Rodón, who can choose out of his deal — isn’t anticipated to return.
“All the items are in place for Alex to have a superb season in ‘23,” Kapler stated. “The identical traits that made him good for us final 12 months and in stretches this 12 months are nonetheless very a lot in place. He’s gonna be a core piece of our rotation subsequent 12 months.”
Wooden can now shift his focus to 2023, although first he might be occupied with familial duties. His spouse, Suzanna, is predicted to offer beginning to their first baby any day now.
Wooden will end the 12 months with a 5.10 ERA in 26 begins, however that quantity was inflated by his closing three outings, which he stated have been affected by the shoulder impingement. By way of his first 23 begins, Wooden was 8-9 with a 4.18 ERA, however he misplaced his closing three begins whereas permitting 19 earned runs in 12⅓ innings, a 13.86 ERA.
Wooden’s closing ERA additionally belies a a lot decrease 3.76 mark in FIP, or fielding-independent pitching.
“I believed Alex pitched very properly in stretches and I believed there have been some moments of challenges, like all pitchers have,” Kapler stated. “I feel we may’ve completed a greater job defending behind him, which might’ve modified a number of the core components of his season.”
Notable
- Outfielder Austin Slater (hand) took batting follow off a high-velocity pitching machine Sunday, which he stated went properly. Slater, who had the brace on his left hand eliminated Thursday, is trending to be activated this week through the Giants’ collection at Colorado. Sunday will mark the 14th recreation he has missed after dislocating his left pinky finger on a headfirst slide into second base.
- Kapler didn’t rule out the potential of infielder Tommy La Stella (neck spasms) taking part in once more this season.
- The churn on the backside of the Giants’ 40-man roster continued, because the group claimed right-hander Jharel Cotton off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Cotton, 30, has a 2.83 ERA in 23 major-league reduction appearances this season and might be an choice to eat innings on the upcoming highway journey, Kapler stated. In a corresponding transfer, the Giants designated for task Willie Calhoun, the participant they acquired in return for Steven Duggar. Infielder Jose Rojas, whom the Giants claimed earlier this month, cleared waivers however elected to turn into a free agent.