SF Giants shut down projected four starter with elbow soreness

The SF Giants have shut down right-handed pitcher Keaton Winn, one of their promising young starters, with elbow soreness.

Marc Delucchi | Feb 21, 2024

SF Giants shut down projected four starter with elbow soreness /

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San Francisco Giants

The SF Giants announced in a press release on Wednesday that right-handed pitcher Keaton Winn (Top 10 Prospect) has been shut down with soreness in his throwing elbow. Winn was projected to be the number four starter in San Francisco's Opening Day rotation, which will already be missing Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray. Now, there is added uncertainty surrounding the Giants unproven projected staff.

SF Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn delivers against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on September 16, 2023. — SF Giants SP Keaton Winn pitches against the Colorado in the first inning. (2023) / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

"Keaton Winn is experiencing right elbow soreness after his last bullpen," according to the team's press release. "He underwent an MRI, which revealed no structural damage. He'll rest and receive treatment and will be re-evaluated this weekend."

Winn made his big-league debut with the Giants last season and posted a 4.68 ERA with 35 strikeouts and eight walks in 42.1 innings pitched (nine appearances) in the majors. However, his first big-league stint was interrupted by elbow soreness that required a stint on the injured list. He has also been the organization's most consistent starter at Triple-A Sacramento, recording a 4.81 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 26 walks in 58 innings pitched (17 games) in the incredibly hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

The Giants drafted Winn in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Iowa Western Community College and signed him away from a commitment to TCU. In college, Winn had flashed mid-90s velocity and an above-average slider but had been unable to sustain his premium velocity. Since turning pro, however, Winn has developed an excellent splitter that pairs well with a fastball that can reach the high-90s.

If Winn is unavailable for the start of the season, the Giants have even more reason to make a late-offseason push for top free agent starting pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. However, if they continue to prioritize limiting their long-term payroll commitments, then Winn's injury opens the door for non-roster invitee Daulton Jefferies and other young prospects, like Mason Black, to potentially fill his role.

At his best, Winn has flashed the potential to be a solid mid-rotation arm with a comparable arsenal to former SF Giants aces like Kevin Gausman and Jason Schmidt. For now, though, the team's training staff is focused on helping him get back to 100% with hopes to get him back on the field soon.

Published Feb 21, 2024

MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).