Why was Jordan Hicks moved to the bullpen?
His ERA was too high, and the Giants wanted to explore other options.
Yanuki
ARTICLE DETAIL
Giants Adjust Pitching Rotation: Hicks to Bullpen, Birdsong to Rotation | Mikal Bridges Struggles with Inconsistency, Plagued by Foul Trouble | Nazar's PPG Wins It in Overtime: Blackhawks Beat Mammoth | Pacers-Clippers Trade: Mathurin and Zubac's Impact | Troy Wins Sun Belt Tournament, Earns NCAA Berth | RMU Men's Hockey Advances to AHA Semifinals After Tense Series | Oregon State Basketball: The End of the Wayne Tinkle Era | Mexico vs. USA: Intense Rivalry at the World Baseball Classic 2026 | Italy vs. Great Britain in 2026 World Baseball Classic: Espresso-Fueled Victory | Giants Adjust Pitching Rotation: Hicks to Bullpen, Birdsong to Rotation | Mikal Bridges Struggles with Inconsistency, Plagued by Foul Trouble | Nazar's PPG Wins It in Overtime: Blackhawks Beat Mammoth | Pacers-Clippers Trade: Mathurin and Zubac's Impact | Troy Wins Sun Belt Tournament, Earns NCAA Berth | RMU Men's Hockey Advances to AHA Semifinals After Tense Series | Oregon State Basketball: The End of the Wayne Tinkle Era | Mexico vs. USA: Intense Rivalry at the World Baseball Classic 2026 | Italy vs. Great Britain in 2026 World Baseball Classic: Espresso-Fueled Victory
Sports / MLB
Giants Adjust Pitching Rotation: Hicks to Bullpen, Birdsong to Rotation
The San Francisco Giants are adjusting their pitching rotation, with Jordan Hicks moving back to the bullpen and Hayden Birdsong stepping into the starting rotation. This decision comes after Hicks struggled in his initial starts, despite p...
Key Insights
- Jordan Hicks, after signing a $44 million deal to be a starter, returns to the bullpen due to a high 6.55 ERA in his first nine starts.
- Hayden Birdsong, a 23-year-old right-hander, will make his first start of the season against the Royals.
- Advanced metrics suggested Hicks was unlucky, with a 3.48 FIP and 3.75 xERA, but the Giants opted for a change.
- Hicks is averaging 97.2 mph with his sinker.
In-Depth Analysis
Jordan Hicks' transition back to the bullpen comes after the Giants signed him with the intention of him being a starter. Despite bulking up in the offseason to improve stamina, his ERA reached a high 6.55, leading to the change. Manager Bob Melvin emphasized the team is making adjustments to improve.
Hayden Birdsong gets the opportunity to start after a strong performance as a reliever, posting a 2.31 ERA in 11 appearances. The Giants have a surplus of young pitching talent, including Kyle Harrison, who will remain in the bullpen for now.
Hicks' peripheral numbers suggested he performed better than his ERA indicated, with a high ground ball rate and low hard contact rate. However, a high BABIP and low strand rate contributed to his struggles. Some speculate that Hicks may have been tipping his pitches.
Despite expressing a desire to remain a starter long-term, Hicks is willing to help the team in any role. He aims to improve his swing-and-miss rate as a reliever, an area where he underperformed as a starter.
FAQ
What is Hayden Birdsong's background?
Birdsong has a 2.31 ERA in 11 relief appearances this year and started 16 games last year as a rookie.
Takeaways
- Jordan Hicks will now leverage his high-velocity pitching in shorter relief outings.
- Hayden Birdsong gets a chance to prove himself as a starter.
- The Giants are prioritizing performance and making adjustments to optimize their pitching staff.
Discussion
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Sources
Disclaimer
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