Hayden Birdsong - Page 4 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Roupp comes out on top for final Giants' rotation spot SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants’ Opening Day rotation is set, with Landen Roupp officially edging out Hayden Birdsong for the final spot in the...

MARCH 25, 2025 • MLB.COM

Starting season in bullpen Birdsong will serve out of the Giants' bullpen for the start of the 2025 season after Landen Roupp was named as the fifth starter Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area repor...

Impact Birdsong and Roupp were the final two candidates for the Giants' fifth-starter spot after Kyle Harrison was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. Birdsong recorded a 0.75 ERA across 12 Cactus League innings this spring, but he'll begin the 2025 regular season in the bullpen, possibly in a long reliever role.

MARCH 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

OK after fingernail issue Birdsong is expected to be fine after dealing with a cracked right middle fingernail during an appearance Sunday in an exhibition game versus Triple-A Sacramento, Shayna Rubin of t...

Impact Birdsong noted that it's something he battles with a lot and he expects to be fine after getting a fake fingernail put on the finger. The right-hander has made the Giants' Opening Day roster and is the team's presumed fifth starter, although the club has not yet confirmed what Birdsong's role will be.

MARCH 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes San Francisco's roster Birdsong has made the Giants' Opening Day roster, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Birdsong has been in a battle with Landon Roupp for the final spot in the Giants' rotation, and while the team has yet to confirm it, it appears Birdsong will break camp as the fifth starter and Roupp will be used in the bullpen. The 23-year-old Birdsong earned the spot following a fantastic Cactus League showing that saw him allow just one run with an 18:0 K:BB over 12 innings of work.

MARCH 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rotation battle down to Birdsong, Roupp as Harrison heads to Triple-A SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants’ fifth-starter competition is officially down to two. Left-hander Kyle Harrison was optioned to Triple-A Sac...

MARCH 22, 2025 • MLB.COM

Still in mix for fifth-starter role Birdsong remains neck-and-neck with Landen Roupp for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Birdsong and Roupp are the final candidates for the fifth-starter spot after the Giants optioned Kyle Harrison to Triple-A Sacramento. Birdsong has made four appearances during Cactus League play, recording a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 frames. The 23-year-old made 16 starts for San Francisco during the 2024 campaign, registering a 4.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings. Additionally, Birdsong threw more innings than Roupp (50.1 innings) last season, starting in 16 outings compared to Roupp's four. The Giants will likely take a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide who wins the final starting spot.

MARCH 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Generating buzz in rotation bid Birdsong struck out eight over five scoreless innings against the A's on Sunday and now has a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring.

Impact The 23-year-old right-hander is making quite the case for the No. 5 spot in the San Francisco rotation, though manager Bob Melvin stressed after Sunday's exhibition that "to this point, nothing's been decided," per Maria Guardado of MLB.com. Landen Roupp was seen as the frontrunner for the fifth starter role earlier in spring training, and lefty Kyle Harrison remains in the mix as well in what Guardado described as the "fiercest competition in Giants camp." However, Birdsong might have the most upside for the Giants, and he is arguably the most interesting of the bunch from a fantasy perspective.

MARCH 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Giants' Hayden Birdsong remains dominant while Kyle Harrison is picking up speed As Hayden Birdsong has been all but unhittable for the San Francisco Giants this spring, Kyle Harrison is working to find his velocity after...

MARCH 17, 2025 • SFCHRONICLE.COM

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.

MARCH 12, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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

HAYDEN BIRDSONG NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES