The SF Giants have been without right-handed starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani since he landed on the injured list at the end of July with a flexor strain in his right elbow. While DeSclafani received some good news in subsequent exams, he was still ruled out for the season. With prolonged rest necessary, DeSclafani had left the team to rehab on his own earlier this season. However, he rejoined the team in the clubhouse at Oracle Park on Monday. In a conversation with Giants Baseball Insider, DeSclafani said he was returning to have a final check-in with team doctors and that he is optimistic that the injury will not limit him this offseason.
"I expect to have just a normal offseason," DeSclafani told Giants Baseball Insider. "I think if everything goes right, I should be throwing here in a couple weeks and should be good."
DeSclafani got off to a promising start this season, recording a 2.70 ERA with 27 strikeouts and just three walks across 30 innings pitched in his first five starts of the season. However, perhaps induced by his elbow injury, DeSclafani's performance fell off a cliff when the calendar turned to May. Ultimately, he finished the season with a 4.88 ERA (4.38 FIP), 79 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 99.2 innings pitched (19 appearances).
Set to turn 34 next April, the Giants are hopeful DeSclafani can reestablish himself as a quality mid-rotation starter next season. 2024 will be DeSclafani's fourth year in the Giants organization, the final season in his current three-year, $36 million contract. DeSclafani, of course, was a key contributor during the team's 107-win campaign. In arguably the best season of his career, he posted a 3.17 ERA in 167.2 innings pitched across 32 starts with two complete game shutouts.
Over the past two years, though, DeSclafani has seen his on-field performance regress as he's dealt with several injuries. From 2022-2023, DeSclafani has appeared in just 24 games and struggled to a 5.16 ERA (4.43 FIP) in 118.2 innings pitched with 96 strikeouts, 24 walks, and 19 home runs allowed. As the SF Giants front office looks ahead to 2024, they surely hope that Anthony DeSclafani can be back at 100% in time to have a full offseason to put himself in position for a bounceback 2024 campaign.
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