The San Francisco Giants have dealt with highs and lows in their starting rotation. Logan Webb, their innings-eating ace, has been his excellent self. Robbie Ray has returned to Cy Young form. But the back half of the rotation has been a mess. The only person bridging the gap has been Landen Roupp. But now, San Francisco has lost its third-best starter to an elbow injury.
Elbow inflammation can be a nightmare for a starter. Two words are now on everyone’s mind: Tommy John. And it’s not the first time Roupp has experienced elbow troubles. In May 2024, the 26-year-old went on the injured list while pitching for San Francisco’s Triple-A affiliate. Then, while with the big club, he had another IL stint in June 2024. The timing of this injury is what causes the most concern.
In the 2024 season, Roupp threw his excellent curveball 44% of the time. The story was the same to begin the 2025 season, before batters started picking up on it. Working with the pitching coaches, Roupp started throwing his sinker more in his recent starts, saving the curveball for out pitches. It’s worked to a T; he’s pitching to a 1.15 ERA in his last six starts, leading to five Giants wins. But the change in pitch mix has seemingly taken a toll on his elbow.
Perhaps this is a flare-up as his elbow adjusts to a new routine of more fastballs and less off-speed pitches. But when a high spin-rate pitcher experiences elbow issues, everyone holds their breath.
Roupp was scheduled to start the series finale against the New York Mets on Sunday. San Francisco has not announced who will take his turn in the rotation. Having sent down fifth starter Hayden Birdsong, they have two rotation holes to fill. A combination of Carson Seymour, Spencer Bivens and recent call-up Tristan Beck will likely eat bulk innings on Sunday against the Mets.
