On Tuesday September 16, 2025, the San Francisco Giants recalled right handed pitcher Trevor McDonald to the active roster.
In a corresponding move, they demoted fellow RHP Keaton Winn to AAA Sacramento.
The Giants reportedly did this to shake up their bullpen and add a fresh arm for the rest of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Giants’ bullpen arms have surrendered 19 runs in their last 15 innings of work. That’s a big reason why the Giants have lost their last three games and fallen 2 games behind the New York Mets for the third and final National League Wild Card spot.
McDonald Is A (Sort Of) Familiar Face
Trevor McDonald has pitched exactly 1 game for the Giants in the past. On the very final day of the 2024 season on September 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals, McDonald threw the last three innings for the Giants.
They were 3 good innings. McDonald didn’t surrender a run or even a hit. He allowed one walk and got 1 batter to strike out.
Ultimately, it didn’t matter, as the Giants lost 6-1 to the Cardinals. A disappointing end to another season where San Francisco missed the playoffs.
McDonald’s numbers in AAA Sacramento this season have, frankly, not been great. In 29 games (24 starts), McDonald has a 5.31 ERA. He’s allowed 144 hits in 142.1 innings and struck out 144 batters.
But frankly, the Giants don’t have much pitching depth in their organization, and therefore, any other options. They need someone to eat innings for their decimated bullpen.
And unless they want to resurrect Bryce Eldridge’s two-way career, McDonald is who they have to turn to.
Can McDonald Make An Impression For A Rotation Spot?
The Giants very clearly have a pitching rotation problem. It’s a problem in 2024, but also a problem that’s going to extend into 2025.
The problem is that they have no proven fourth or fifth starting pitcher. For most of the season, the Giants have had three starting pitchers they can rely on. The first two have been Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. The third one has been Landen Roupp or Justin Verlander, depending on the moment in the season.
Verlander is on his way out next year, which will leave the Giants with only 3 proven starting pitchers.
The Giants could just buy 2 more starters on the free agent market. And based on the track record that Buster Posey is laying down as President of Baseball Operations, they might do just that.
But for now, it’s an open audition if any young arms want to establish themselves as a potential rotation arm.
Tristan Beck is getting that chance on Tuesday, as he is making his first start of 2025 and the fifth start of his career against the Diamondbacks.
But this also seems like the best shot of McDonald’s young career to make a big league impression. If he throws well in relief Tuesday, manager Bob Melvin could give him a start before the season ends.
What do you think of Trevor McDonald, Giants fans? Does he factor into the future plans for the Giants’ pitching staff?
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