SAN FRANCISCO — In an ideal world, the Giants would’ve probably liked 22-year-old Hayden Birdsong to make more than two starts with Triple-A Sacramento before he made his MLB debut. The Giants, though, do not live in an ideal world.
With a depleted rotation, Birdsong’s time is now.
Birdsong, San Francisco’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will be called up to start on Wednesday against the Cubs and make his major-league debut, manager Bob Melvin announced on Tuesday.
“There’s some risk involved with a guy that was just in Triple-A,” Melvin said. “He’s a young kid. He’s very talented. It’ll be his first big-league look, but we’re excited about it. Hopefully, he gets off to a good start. In my opinion, he’s going to have a long big-league career.”
Melvin made clear that the promotion of Birdsong, who began the season with Double-A Richmond, is the result of the team’s need for starting pitching. San Francisco’s injury list currently features an entire five-man rotation of Blake Snell, Robbie Ray, Kyle Harrison, Alex Cobb, and Keaton Winn.
The hope in San Francisco is that Birdsong can perform well and help eat innings, too. Entering Tuesday, San Francisco’s starters have thrown 91 1/3 innings this month, the fewest in baseball — a figure resulting from Melvin having to use openers.
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Birdsong will have “a couple of opportunities,” per Melvin, who pointed out that the team would not add him to the 40-man roster for just one start. That said, Birdsong will likely be optioned back to Triple-A as San Francisco’s starters come off the injured list and get more seasoning in the minors.
“You watch his bullpens, and it’s true starter stuff,” Melvin said. “It’s talent. He’s young, but it’s pretty exciting to think that he’s going to get the chance to start here.”
Birdsong, selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft, began this season with Double-A Richmond. After posting a 2.05 ERA over 11 starts with 61 strikeouts over 48 1/3 innings, Birdsong was promoted to Sacramento on June 11.
The right-hander has started just two games for the River Cats, allowing five earned runs over nine innings (5.00 ERA) with 14 strikeouts to six walks. In his last outing, Birdsong allowed two earned runs over five innings with seven strikeouts but four walks.
Black back in mix
The Giants brought up their latest fresh arm on Tuesday, recalling Mason Black from Triple-A Sacramento before Tuesday’s game against the Cubs.
Black, who has an 8.79 ERA over 14 1/3 innings with the Giants, last pitched on June 20 for Sacramento. Per Melvin, Black could follow right-hander Randy Rodríguez, who is getting his first career start.
“Each time you’re here, you settle in a little bit more,” Melvin said. “He’s had innings where he’s pitched really well. He’s had some innings that have gotten away from him, too. He’s here for a reason. He’s a guy we like and we’ll see how he’s used today.”
Since being optioned to Sacramento on May 24, Black has allowed 19 earned runs over 14 1/3 innings (11.93 ERA) in five starts. Black’s last three outings, in particular, were especially rough, allowing 17 earned runs over 7 2/3 innings (19.96 ERA) with 10 strikeouts to eight walks.
In a corresponding move, left-handed Raymond Burgos, who made his major-league debut on Monday, was optioned to Sacramento. Burgos allowed one earned run in one inning on Monday, recording his first career strikeout by getting Tomás Nido to whiff on an elevated four-seam fastball.
Injury updates
Kyle Harrison (right ankle sprain) and Robbie Ray (left elbow UCL surgery recovery) each threw bullpens in San Francisco on Tuesday. Ray is scheduled to pitch in a rehab game with Single-A San Jose on Friday.
Alex Cobb (right shoulder) threw his second live batting practice in Arizona. Melvin had yet to receive any feedback when asked pregame, but Cobb was scheduled to throw 30 pitches.
