HAYDEN BIRDSONG NEWS

Still in mix for rotation Birdsong has a 2.89 ERA and a 13:1 K:BB this spring, including an outing against minor leaguers that doesn't count toward his Cactus League stats, and he is in the mix for a rotati...

Impact It seemed like Birdsong would be behind Kyle Harrison and maybe even Landen Roupp in the competition for the fifth starter's spot, but Birdsong has pitched well enough to keep his name in the mix. In fact, Birdsong was so efficient in his most recent appearance Monday, throwing 45 pitches over three scoreless innings, that he went back out to the bullpen to keep throwing in order to meet his pitch count requirement, per delos Santos. Birdsong threw 129.1 innings last season, significantly more than Roupp (76.2 innings) and also more than Harrison (124.1 innings), and is up over 10 unofficial innings this spring, so he won't miss out on the rotation due to any any durability concerns. Birdsong's control was poor in 2024, particularly in the majors (13.7 BB%), but if he has indeed taken a step forward in that aspect of his game, he could be in for a breakout 2025 season.

16 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Might not make rotation Birdsong could be on the outside looking in for a spot in the Giants' rotation, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Impact Birdsong flashed plenty of promise last season, particularly from a strikeouts perspective, posting a 4.75 ERA and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings covering 16 starts. However, with the signing of Justin Verlander and expected return of Jordan Hicks to the rotation, Birdsong might begin the 2025 campaign back at Triple-A Sacramento. It might not be the worst thing since Birdsong still needs to work on his control, but he has some of the best upside of any of the Giants' starting pitchers and still figures to spend ample time in the major-league rotation.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Fans 11 in short outing Birdsong (5-6) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out 11 and taking a loss against St. Louis.

Impact Through four innings, Birdsong had given up one run on a solo shot by Brendan Donovan. The Cardinals then tacked on two more in the fifth inning. Despite recording only 13 outs, Birdsong punched out 11 and racked up 19 whiffs. He generated 12 of those whiffs via the slider. Birdsong ends his rookie season with a 4.75 ERA and 88:43 K:BB through 72 innings. He completed six innings in just one of his 16 MLB starts.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Collects fifth win Birdsong (5-5) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Impact Birdsong has followed up a seven-start winless stretch with back-to-back victories. The rookie right-hander has allowed seven runs over 18.2 innings across four starts in September. He's at a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB through 67.2 innings over 15 starts this season. Birdsong is tentatively projected to make his last start of the regular season at home versus the Cardinals.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

One out short of quality start Birdsong (4-5) took the win Wednesday against Baltimore, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Impact Birdsong fell just shy of his second quality start of 2024, getting pulled from the start in favor of Erik Miller after giving up a single to Colton Cowser in the sixth inning. Miller immediately yielded a double to Ryan O'Hearn, plating Cowser as Birdsong's third earned run. In his last three starts, Birdsong has a 3.29 ERA with an 11:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Diamondbacks in Arizona next time out.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Throws five scoreless frames Birdsong did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday, allowing two hits and one walk over five scoreless innings while striking out four.

Impact Birdsong got off to a great start Thursday, allowing just one hit through the first four innings before being relieved in the sixth after throwing just 68 pitches. It marked the right-hander's first time going at least five innings since July 27 against the Rockies (span of six starts), which was also the last time that he collected a win. Additionally, it marked the first time in Birdsong's last five starts that he didn't issue multiple walks.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high five walks in loss Birdsong (3-5) was charged with the loss against Arizona on Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over three innings while striking out four.

Impact It wasn't a great outing for Birdsong as the right-hander issued back-to-back walks to open the contest, followed by an RBI single to Josh Bell with one out. The 23-year-old would then give up a leadoff homer to Eugenio Suarez in the following frame and needed 77 pitches to get through three innings before being relieved by Spencer Bivens to open the fourth. Birdsong has now failed to make it through four innings in back-to-back starts while surrendering seven runs over that stretch. His five walks Wednesday also marked a season high and he's allowed four or more free passes in three-consecutive outings.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Birdsong's short outing latest in rough spell for SF rotation MILWAUKEE – Frustration is mounting after another abbreviated outing by a Giants starting pitcher. Rookie Hayden Birdsong lasted just 3 2/3...

AUGUST 29, 2024 • MLB.COM

Struggles in loss to Brewers Birdsong (3-4) allowed five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings to take the loss versus the Brewers on Thursday.

Impact Birdsong has great stuff, as evidenced by his 60 strikeouts through 49 career innings, but he once again was plagued by control issues. The rookie walked four batters for his second straight start and has now given up five or more runs in three of his last five starts. Birdsong will want to turn the page on a rough month of August and will take a 5.14 ERA into his next start.

AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Having trouble with free passes Birdsong allowed one hit and four walks while striking out five over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Impact Birdsong was again decent at limiting runs for the second start in a row, but he's issued seven walks over his last 8.2 innings. He threw just 39 of his 80 pitches for strikes in Friday's start, which contributed to him missing the five-inning mark for the fourth outing in a row. The rookie right-hander is now at a 4.57 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB through 45.1 innings over 10 starts. Birdsong will have trouble against tougher opponents if he can't get his walk rate in check, though he's had only one truly awful outing so far. He'll have a tough task ahead with his next projected start at Milwaukee.

AUGUST 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Walks three in loss Birdsong (3-3) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Athletics on Saturday.

Impact Compared to his previous two outings, this was a fairly good performance. Birdsong avoided giving up a home run, but the Giants didn't give him any run support, leaving the rookie with a third straight loss. He's now at a 5.01 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 49:22 K:BB through 41.1 innings over nine starts this season. Birdsong looks to be the Giants' top option for a fifth starter, and he's tentatively projected to make his next start at Seattle.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Takes second loss Birdsong (3-2) allowed five runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings to take the loss versus the Tigers on Sunday.

Impact Birdsong has stumbled in consecutive starts since joining the Giants' rotation on a more firm basis, allowing 12 runs over his last 6.1 innings. His command was better Sunday with 51 of his 85 pitches going for strikes, but he gave up multiple home runs for the second outing in a row. The right-hander is now at a 5.40 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB through 36.2 innings over eight starts in the majors. Birdsong is tentatively scheduled for a road start in Oakland for his next outing, though he may be on a short leash if his performance doesn't improve soon.

AUGUST 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

'Not what I wanted': Birdsong's battles continue in 5-ER outing SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants traded veteran Alex Cobb to the Guardians to clear a rotation spot for Hayden Birdsong, but the 22-year-old rook...

AUGUST 12, 2024 • MLB.COM

Lack of command sinks Birdsong in rough start vs. Nats WASHINGTON -- Hayden Birdsong’s Major League career was off to a strong start, but the Nationals proved to be the biggest challenge yet for...

AUGUST 7, 2024 • MLB.COM

Struggles with command in loss Birdsong (3-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing seven runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout over two innings.

Impact Birdsong just didn't have it, surrendering seven runs in the shortest of his seven major-league appearances. He struggled with his command, issuing three walks and allowing two homers while generating only two swinging strikes on 66 pitches. While one rough outing doesn't negate the success he had entering Tuesday, the rookie has yielded 18 free passes across 32.1 innings and will likely experience some growing pains on nights when he doesn't get whiffs. He'll try to rebound in a home matchup against the Tigers this weekend.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled ahead of Tuesday's start The Giants recalled Birdsong from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Birdsong will rejoin the Giants' rotation Tuesday versus the Nationals and has a shot to cement himself into the rotation for the remainder of the season. The rookie right-hander has impressed in his first six major-league starts, collecting a 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB in 30.1 innings.

AUGUST 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoining rotation Tuesday The Giants will promote Birdsong from Single-A San Jose to start Tuesday's game against the Nationals in Washington.

Impact Though the Giants sent him to San Jose following his most recent start July 27, the big club had always intended to bring him back when a fifth starter was needed. The Giants' recent trade of Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) further cements the rookie into the rotation, a distinction Birdsong earned after turning in a 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB in 30.1 innings through his first six big-league starts. Birdsong projects as a strong source of strikeouts while he's holding down a rotation spot, but a high walk rate could make him less of an asset in the WHIP category while also limiting his ability to work deep into his outings.

AUGUST 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Earns spot in rotation The Giants are expected to recall Birdsong from Single-A San Jose in the near future, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact After he was returned to the minors upon serving as the Giants' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Rockies, Birdsong's next opportunity to return to the big leagues appeared to be in flux while Alex Cobb (hip/blister) was on the cusp of returning from the 60-day injured list. However, with Cobb being dealt to the Guardians on Tuesday, Birdsong now looks set to rejoin the Giants the next time the team needs a fifth starter. Birdsong, who has a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 25.2 innings over his last five MLB starts, could be recalled as soon as this weekend to make a start in Cincinnati.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Earns spot in rotation Birdsong will rejoin the Giants' rotation in the coming days, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact The Giants don't need a fifth starter this week, and the plan was going to be for Alex Cobb (hip/blister) to eventually claim that fifth spot when he was healthy, but Cobb was traded to Cleveland on Tuesday. Birdsong, who has a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 25.2 innings over his last five MLB starts, last pitched Saturday, so he could be recalled to start this weekend in Cincinnati.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to minors The Giants optioned Birdsong to Single-A San Jose on Sunday.

Impact San Francisco previously optioned Birdsong to Single-A this past Monday, but the rookie right-hander didn't have to miss a turn through the rotation since the Giants were able to recall him from the minors to have him serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Rockies. Birdsong took the hill for the second game of the twin bill and spun another gem, striking out eight over five shutout innings while the Giants rolled to a 5-0 win. Now that Birdsong has been optioned to the minors again, the Giants would need to place a player on the injured list in a corresponding move in order for the 22-year-old to be eligible to rejoin the big club in fewer than 15 days. Even though Birdsong holds a 2.97 ERA and 30.2 percent strikeout rate in the majors this season, it's unclear if the Giants will have room for him in their rotation. The Giants returned lefty Robbie Ray from the 60-day injured list this past week, and another starter in right-hander Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) could be ready to come off the 60-day IL during the upcoming week.

JULY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hurls five shutout frames in win Birdsong (3-0) picked up the win over the Rockies on Saturday, allowing three hits and three walks over five shutout innings while striking out eight.

Impact Birdsong once again proved he has the stuff to stick around in the big leagues Saturday, producing 20 swings and misses over five shutout innings to improve to 3-0 on the campaign. The right-hander has not allowed more than three runs in any of his five starts this season, and hasn't surrendered more than three hits in three consecutive outings. He's gone 2-0 over that latter stretch while posting a 23:8 K:BB.

JULY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Named 27th man Birdsong has been appointed the Giants' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies. He'll start Game 2.

Impact Birdsong will temporarily join the Giants' active roster to make his sixth big-league start of the year. Birdsong has a 2-0 record with a 3.55 ERA and 30:12 K:BB in 25.1 innings with San Francisco and will likely return to the minors after Saturday's start.

JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Named 27th man Birdsong has been appointed the Giants' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies. He'll start Game 2.

Impact Birdson will temporarily join the Giants' active roster to make his sixth big-league start of the year. Birdsong has a 2-0 record with a 3.55 ERA and a 30:12 K:BB in 25.1 innings with San Francisco and will return to the minors after Saturday's start.

JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting second game of twin bill Birdsong has been confirmed as the starter for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact Birdsong was sent to the minors even after striking out 12 while limiting the Rockies to two runs in six innings at Coors Field this past weekend. He'll make a second straight start against Colorado on Saturday, with this one coming at Oracle Park. Birdsong is likely to be sent back to the minors again no matter how he fares Saturday, presumably Alex Cobb (hip) gets through his final rehab start with no issues.

JULY 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moving to minors Birdsong was optioned to Single-A San Jose on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Birdsong put together a stellar start Sunday against the Rockies, fanning 12 while allowing two runs over six frames, but he'll return to the minor leagues following Monday's transaction. Slusser notes that the right-hander could be back with the big-league club in time for Saturday's doubleheader, which is likely the reasoning behind the demotion to Single-A San Jose, though the impending return of Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (elbow) could also impact San Francisco's pitching plans for the weekend.

JULY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE