The San Francisco Giants welcomed back left-handed pitcher Sam Hentges on Sunday after the 29-year-old spent almost two years recovering from multiple injuries.
Hentges hasn’t appeared in a professional game since July 10, 2024, when he was playing for the Cleveland Guardians. A shoulder injury sidelined him initially, and after two months of rehabilitation failed to resolve the issue, doctors performed surgery to fix his labrum and shoulder capsule.
The pitcher’s troubles continued as he missed all of the 2025 season and required additional knee surgery in August. He joined the Giants organization in December, but his rehabilitation process stretched into the current season.
Throughout his major league career with Cleveland starting in 2021, Hentges compiled a 7-8 record with a 4.18 earned run average across 168 games, including 12 as a starting pitcher.
The Giants also brought up right-handed pitcher Dylan Smith from their Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, while sending Ryan Walker and Gregory Santos down to the minor leagues.
Both Hentges and Smith will be making their first appearances in Giants uniforms. Smith, age 25, has limited big league experience with seven games for Detroit last season. This year at Sacramento, he posted a 2.13 ERA with an 0-1 record in nine relief outings.
Walker, 30, struggled this season with a 6.46 ERA in 16 relief appearances, going 0-1 with three saves in six chances. Santos, 26, appeared in three games out of the bullpen with a 3.60 ERA.
