Randy Rodríguez: Season at Risk Due to Elbow Injury
The 2026 season of the Dominican closer for the San Francisco Giants, Randy Rodríguez, is in serious trouble. The pitcher was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a sprain in his right elbow, and after medical evaluations, he was recommended to undergo Tommy John surgery. Dr. Ken Akizuki, the team’s lead orthopedist, reviewed the MRI and suggested surgical intervention, an opinion supported by Dr. Keith Meister. This news took manager Bob Melvin by surprise, who had shown optimism about the possibility of Rodríguez returning to the bullpen this very week. The panorama, however, changed drastically.“One had a feeling, but we were hoping for the best. Now he must decide what to do, who will be the doctor and what the schedule will be,” commented Melvin.
Bob Melvin
Rodríguez expressed his disappointment, but stated that he will take the weekend to analyze his options with his agent. Although therapies with injections and prolonged rest have been considered, the doctors agree that surgery seems inevitable.
The Dominican has been a key piece in the Giants’ bullpen, sharing closing duties with Ryan Walker and also acting as a setup man. In 50.2 innings, he recorded an ERA of 1.78, with four saves, solidifying himself as one of San Francisco’s most reliable arms. For Melvin, Rodriguez’s absence is a hard blow:Rodríguez had already faced problems in his right elbow, missing more than a month of the 2024 season due to inflammation. The pain intensified after his performance against the Padres on August 18, becoming “intolerable”, according to the pitcher himself. While Rodríguez defines his immediate future, the Giants will have to reconfigure their bullpen at a crucial moment in the campaign.“For a while he had the most important role we had, facing the big outs. It’s disappointing for him and for us, but if he decides to have surgery, we trust that he will be able to return healthy and strong”.
Bob Melvin
