Trevor McDonald could miss rest of season with elbow injury

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants returned to the Bay Area battered and bruised after a 1-5 road trip through Seattle and Kansas City, and their homecoming was met with more rough news.

Right-hander Trevor McDonald has a moderate UCL sprain, as announced by the club before Friday’s series opener with the Angels. McDonald exited his start Monday with what was initially deemed a right elbow strain, with further imaging resulting in Friday’s update.

McDonald, 25, will obtain a second opinion over the weekend, at which point the club will know more.

Outfielder Harrison Bader, meanwhile, has been shut down from baseball activity due to continued soreness stemming from left plantar fasciitis. On Monday, Bader will be sent to Indianapolis to consult with Dr. David Porter, a foot and ankle specialist.

When asked pregame if he thought either player could return this season, manager Tony Vitello said he did think Bader could, though he deemed McDonald’s chances “less likely.”

“Every time he picks up some momentum, there’s a little bit of discomfort or pain,” said Vitello of Bader. “So there’s no point in pushing forward if then it’s a reset, get back to it, and then another reset. How many of those can you do before you dive into it a little bit further and see if there’s something different that needs to be done? Also, there’s a lot of season left, but also not a lot of season left, too.”

Signed by San Francisco last offseason to a two-year deal worth a reported $20.5 million, Bader has only played in 30 games due to injury, hitting .170/.198/.358 with five home runs and 14 RBIs.

In 14 starts this season, McDonald has a 5.12 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings, and by all accounts it sounds like his 2026 is likely over.

“He’s going to miss some time for sure,” said Vitello of McDonald. “I think looking at that second opinion will help kind of solidify what’s the best path after that. But at a minimum, it’ll be a good chunk of time.”