All-Star Rodríguez to undergo Tommy John surgery
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants closer Randy Rodríguez’s year is over. And his 2026 season is in jeopardy as well.
The right-hander, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday (retroactive to Aug. 23) with a right elbow sprain, will undergo Tommy John surgery after receiving recommendations for the procedure from Giants head team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki and Dr. Keith Meister.
It’s not the news manager Bob Melvin was hoping to hear after initially expressing optimism on Sunday that Rodríguez would have been ready to go on Tuesday, before he was ultimately placed on the IL. Now, the worst-case scenario is confirmed.
“You kind of had a feeling, but we were hoping for the best,” Melvin said. “Now, he still has to decide what he wants to do and if so, who the doctor is going to be and what the timetable is. So, he’s still got some decisions to make.”
Rodríguez took a day to decide on his course of action and solicited the advice of his agent and Giants prospect Juan Sánchez, who had Tommy John in June 2024. After exploring other options -- such as injections and just rest and rehab -- Rodríguez chose surgery.
It’s a tough blow for the Giants’ bullpen. They lose one of their most trusted high-leverage arms in Rodríguez, who split closing duties with Ryan Walker and was also used in a setup role. He posted a 1.78 ERA with four saves over 50 2/3 innings.
“For a while there, probably the most important role we had as a guy that came in and had to get the big outs,” Melvin said. “Disappointing obviously, for him and for us, but there’s a timetable involved in [surgery]. If he does do it, I’m sure he’ll be healthy and ready to go after that.”
It’s difficult news for Rodríguez, too. He missed over a month in 2024 with right elbow inflammation and has had trouble bouncing back. The pain has not gone away since last season.
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“The trainers have been doing a great job,” he said. “They’ve kept me ready to play.”
The Giants have tried to manage Rodríguez’s workload, but he’d dealt with lingering soreness in his elbow throughout the season, which came to a head when Rodríguez said the pain in his elbow felt “intolerable” after his outing against the Padres on Aug. 18.
He pitched one more time four days later against the Brewers before the decision was made to shut him down on Sunday.