It’s abundantly clear that the San Francisco Giants need to make a pitching move.
Following Hayden Birdsong’s demotion to AAA Sacramento on Tuesday July 22, 2025, the Giants only have four starting pitchers on their active roster.
The Giants have previously been rolling with a five-man rotation all season, which is ideal for all their starters to get their proper rest. San Francisco could roll with bullpen games every fifth day for now, but that would also stretch the bullpen to an unnecessary degree. They will almost certainly will make a move for a fifth starter.
When they do, whether that is via trade or call-up, they will have to make room on their 40-man roster. That requires designating someone on the current 40-man roster for assignment, which means any of the 29 teams can claim that player off waivers.
If the Giants make a move for a pitcher or any other trade deadline acquisition, there is a clear candidate on their 40-man roster to be cut loose. That is right-handed pitcher Sean Hjelle.
Why Would the Giants Cut Hjelle?
In his four seasons playing for San Francisco, Hjelle just hasn’t been that good or consistent.
He has a career 5.09 ERA and has given up 174 hits in 158 innings. Those just aren’t good numbers.
Hjelle had a consistent role in San Francisco last season when he made 58 appearances and logged a 3.90 ERA.
But this season he lost his job in the bullpen. When called up he has been bad in his brief appearances in the MLB. He has a 7.71 ERA in 11 games so far this year. He hasn’t been that great of a minor league pitcher either with a 4.36 ERA in 7 minor league seasons.
Hjelle is also coming off a bad appearance. He surrendered 3 earned runs in 1 inning of work against the Atlanta Braves on July 24, 2025. That’s the only runs a Giants pitcher surrendered in the last two days against the Braves. Sometimes, one more bad appearance can be the tipping point for a pitcher being cut loose.
Plus, Hjelle is in the midst of some controversy that might make it wise for the Giants to cut ties with him anyway. He was accused of abuse and neglect by his wife about a month ago. The MLB investigation is ongoing, but if there is any merit behind those allegations, the Giants won’t want to have any ties to Hjelle. History would look fondly upon them if they cut him now.
Who Might the Giants Acquire To Force Hjelle To Be DFA’d?
The Giants are presumably in the market for a starting pitcher at the MLB trade deadline. Insiders and analysts have advocated for them to pursue low risk, dependable players such as Mitch Keller and Merrill Kelly.
The Giants could also just call up their top starting pitching prospect, Carson Wisenhunt, and give him his first shot at the big league level.
Hjelle could also become expendable because of a move that has nothing to do with a pitcher at all. If the Giants go after another outfield bat like Luis Robert or Taylor Ward, Hjelle could be DFA’d. The Giants have an abundance of good bullpen arms.
If Hjelle is cut loose, it will be interesting to see if any other teams claim him off waivers, if the Giants keep him in their minor league system as a player not on the 40-man roster, or if they cut him loose entirely.
What do you think, Giants fans? Are Sean Hjelle’s days in San Francisco numbered?
Controversial Pitcher’s San Francisco Giants Tenure May Be Nearing Its End