Giants' Randy Rodríguez Unlikely to Pitch Again in AFL
San Francisco Giants general manager Zack Minasian says the reliever is unlikely to pitch again this fall after three Arizona Fall League appearances.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Baseball
Giants general manager Zack Minasian said reliever Randy Rodríguez is unlikely to pitch again in the Arizona Fall League. Rodríguez made three appearances for the Scottsdale Scorpions after missing the entire 2026 season following Tommy John surgery.
Why it matters
Rodríguez was a key late-inning arm in 2025, and the Giants' bullpen finished 19th in ERA in 2026, so his return matters for San Francisco's relief depth. The Giants are hopeful he can become an impact pitcher in the bullpen next year.
Rodríguez made three AFL appearances, allowing three runs in two innings with three strikeouts, three walks and one home run, while reaching 98 mph. The Giants bullpen finished 19th in the majors with a 4.14 ERA in 2026, and the status of his 2027 workload remains unclear.
The players
Zack Minasian
Minasian is the general manager of the San Francisco Giants, overseeing the club's baseball operations and roster decisions.
Randy Rodríguez
Rodríguez is a Giants right-handed reliever who became the team's closer in 2025 and earned an All-Star selection.
The details
Minasian said Rodríguez felt general soreness common to pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery, and the Giants ended his AFL stint after seeing what they needed to see. Rodríguez added a changeup to his four-seam fastball and slider during the fall.
Timeline
2025 trade deadline: The Giants traded Camilo Doval, elevating Rodríguez to the closer role.
2025 season: Rodríguez posted a 1.78 ERA and earned an All-Star appearance.
August 26, 2026: The Giants blew a six-run ninth-inning lead against the Cincinnati Reds.
2026 season: Rodríguez missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery.
November 10, 2026: Minasian said Rodríguez is unlikely to pitch again in the AFL.
Season Trajectory
Rodríguez's season ended early after a 2025 breakout that briefly made him one of the Giants' most important relievers, and his 2026 injury left San Francisco's bullpen without that anchor. The Giants' 4.14 bullpen ERA and 5.74 ninth-inning ERA show how much the late innings depended on arms like his.
Fantasy managers and Giants followers should expect Rodríguez to remain out of game action for now, which removes a potential late-inning option from the bullpen picture. Any update on his 2027 role will shape how the team's relief depth is projected going into next season.
The takeaway
Rodríguez's fall shutdown shows how carefully teams manage pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery, even when they have shown elite results. Patience during the rehab process can determine whether a reliever regains full velocity and command.
Further reading
For more on the Giants' roster moves, see Baseball coverage in San Francisco.
