Just as San Francisco Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt found his rhythm against the Cincinnati Reds, a sudden left elbow injury stalled his progress.
The San Francisco Giants have endured another disappointing season. At 53-78, they will miss the postseason for the fifth consecutive year since their elimination by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2021 National League Division Series.
Even when things appear to be going well, San Francisco continues to encounter setbacks.
Giants can’t catch a break
The Giants built a 5-0 lead against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night while Carson Whisenhunt was delivering one of his better outings of the season.
Whisenhunt held Cincinnati to two hits through 2.2 innings and recorded three strikeouts and a walk before showing signs that something was wrong while facing the third batter of the third inning.
A few minutes later, the left-hander was removed.
The Giants later announced that Whisenhunt exited because of left elbow discomfort.
The timing was particularly unfortunate because the second-year pitcher had struggled for much of 2026 and finally appeared to be settling into a strong start.
Whisenhunt has made eight starts this season, posting a 6.49 ERA and 1.79 WHIP in 34.2 innings.
Those numbers represent a significant decline from his rookie season, when he recorded a 5.01 ERA in 23.1 innings over five starts and showed flashes of what he could become.
San Francisco still completed the shutout, winning 5-0.
Rafael Devers hit a three-run home run in the second inning after the Giants had already scored twice in the first.
Although San Francisco did not score again after the second inning, the pitching staff combined to protect the lead after Whisenhunt’s unexpected departure.
The victory also snapped a four-game losing streak.
San Francisco had been swept in three games on the road by the Boston Red Sox, a difficult stretch that prompted several roster moves.
The Giants placed shortstop Willy Adames, outfielder Victor Bericoto and right-hander JT Brubaker on the Injured List.
They also optioned Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson to Triple-A Sacramento and placed Bryce Eldridge on the bereavement list following the death of his grandfather.
Whisenhunt’s upside
For Whisenhunt, the latest concern adds another obstacle to a season already defined by inconsistency.
However, Whisenhunt is still one of San Francisco’s more intriguing young pitchers. He has the ability to change speeds, keep hitters off balance and work with multiple pitches rather than relying on one dominant offering.
His development has also required persistence. Young starters often experience uneven stretches while adjusting to MLB hitters, and Whisenhunt has already been asked to navigate both performance struggles and physical concerns.
When his command is working, he can disrupt timing and generate weak contact.
The Giants now need clarity on his left elbow more than anything else.
A healthy Whisenhunt still has the tools to compete for a larger rotation role, but another injury setback would complicate both the remainder of 2026 and his preparation for next season.
