Tony Vitello (Image Credits: Imagn)

San Francisco Giants Suffer Huge Blow With Two Injured Players

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Cresswell McCoy | Last updated Mar 19, 2026 9:17 AM ET

The 2026 MLB regular season is just around the corner, and teams are already naming their starting pitchers for Opening Day. Several teams are making lineup changes based on their roster. However, the San Francisco Giants must look to other options.

The Giants had two players hit the injured list during spring training. It’s a huge blow for the team as they enter their first year under Tony Vitello’s management. Third baseman Parks Harber is down with a Grade 2 hamstring and was forced to leave a spring training game on March 14.

To make things worse, Hayden Birdsong, the San Francisco Giants pitcher, suffered a Grade 2 forearm sprain. Birdsong was expected to play a vital role in the team’s rotation, but now things have fallen apart.

San Francisco Giants Could Miss Both Players For Opening Day

The latest injury report of Harber and Birdsong could put the Giants in a tough spot. Harber will be out for at least four to six weeks. That said, there’s no chance of returning for Opening Day.

Giants' Hayden Birdsong suffers devastating elbow injury https://t.co/9y4CaFSFNL via @@YahooSports /Once again Buster, Get Trevor Bauer!!!!
— Edward (@Edward508) March 19, 2026

At the same time, the San Francisco Giants will not push Harber to get back immediately. As for Hayden Birdsong, it’s going to take a lot more time for him to recover. The latest update states that the pitcher must undergo surgery.

Birdsong met with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister. After his second opinion, it turns out that he must undergo surgery or treat his injury through rehab and rest. It could take a lot of time for him to treat the surgery through rehab and rest.

The San Francisco Giants will need to turn to their backup options to make things work for the team. For now, they must take it slow with both players and hope they are back in good form.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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