Blab Sports
Giants Place Rookie Catcher Daniel Susac on 10-Day IL After Fractured Patella
During Sunday’s contest against the Detroit Tigers, rookie catcher Daniel Susac’s left knee was struck when he fouled a ball. An MRI later confirmed a fractured patella, and the Giants’ medical staff will meet with him tonight to chart a treatment plan.
Susac will be shifted to the 10‑day injured list immediately. With Jesús Rodríguez already sidelined for right‑elbow neuritis, the club must secure a backup catcher for its home opener against the Houston Astros. Because a spot on the 40‑man roster remains open, no additional roster moves are required beyond Susac’s IL placement.
The Giants have retained Drew Cavanaugh as the starting catcher. Promoted in late June after Susac’s back injury, Cavanaugh has appeared in 26 games, batting .241 with a .362 on‑base percentage largely thanks to 11 walks. He has recorded one extra‑base hit—a double—and has committed four passed balls and three throwing errors in fewer than 200 innings, catching five of 26 baserunners.
In the short term, the team is likely to call up a catcher from Triple‑A Sacramento. Zach Morgan, 26, has played 28 games for the River Cats, batting .231/.323/.325, while Adrián Sugastey, 23, has spent most of the season in Double‑A and was called up after the All‑Star break, yet has yet to establish a major‑league batting average.
The organization is also scouting free‑agent options. Former Giants catcher Chadwick Tromp and Andrew Knizner have entered free agency, and the Giants have signaled interest in evaluating them for a longer‑term backup role. Additionally, Willie MacIver, who was designated for assignment by Toronto this afternoon, is available on waivers and could be claimed.
Susac’s injury comes at a time when the Giants are still adjusting to a roster that has lost key contributors. The rookie, a Rule 5 pick who made a strong start to the season, helped the Giants justify trading pitcher Patrick Bailey to Cleveland in early May. Since returning from elbow neuritis, Susac’s offensive output has dipped; he has hit .243/.289/.375 with three home runs in his first 161 plate appearances. Defensively, he has been solid, throwing out roughly a third of baserunners.
Front‑office officials confirmed that the 10‑day IL placement is part of a broader strategy to preserve roster flexibility. With a vacancy on the 40‑man roster, the only immediate move is to place Susac on the IL and then select a short‑term backup from the minors or the free‑agent market.
The Giants will need to decide on a backup catcher before tonight’s game against the Astros. If a minor‑league player is called up, the organization will likely keep Cavanaugh as the primary catcher and use the new addition in a reserve role. If a veteran free agent is signed, the Giants could shift the backup role to that player while retaining Cavanaugh as the starter.
The injury underscores the importance of depth at catcher. With both Susac and Rodríguez on the IL, the team’s catching corps is thin, and any additional injuries could force the Giants to rely on untested players or make mid‑season roster moves.
In the coming days, the Giants will announce the specific backup catcher and confirm the roster changes. They will also update the public on Susac’s recovery timeline. The next game, a home opener against the Astros, will proceed with Cavanaugh at the plate and the newly selected backup in the dugout.
The Giants’ handling of the situation will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as the organization seeks to balance short‑term needs with long‑term roster construction.
Susac will be shifted to the 10‑day injured list immediately. With Jesús Rodríguez already sidelined for right‑elbow neuritis, the club must secure a backup catcher for its home opener against the Houston Astros. Because a spot on the 40‑man roster remains open, no additional roster moves are required beyond Susac’s IL placement.
The Giants have retained Drew Cavanaugh as the starting catcher. Promoted in late June after Susac’s back injury, Cavanaugh has appeared in 26 games, batting .241 with a .362 on‑base percentage largely thanks to 11 walks. He has recorded one extra‑base hit—a double—and has committed four passed balls and three throwing errors in fewer than 200 innings, catching five of 26 baserunners.
In the short term, the team is likely to call up a catcher from Triple‑A Sacramento. Zach Morgan, 26, has played 28 games for the River Cats, batting .231/.323/.325, while Adrián Sugastey, 23, has spent most of the season in Double‑A and was called up after the All‑Star break, yet has yet to establish a major‑league batting average.
The organization is also scouting free‑agent options. Former Giants catcher Chadwick Tromp and Andrew Knizner have entered free agency, and the Giants have signaled interest in evaluating them for a longer‑term backup role. Additionally, Willie MacIver, who was designated for assignment by Toronto this afternoon, is available on waivers and could be claimed.
Susac’s injury comes at a time when the Giants are still adjusting to a roster that has lost key contributors. The rookie, a Rule 5 pick who made a strong start to the season, helped the Giants justify trading pitcher Patrick Bailey to Cleveland in early May. Since returning from elbow neuritis, Susac’s offensive output has dipped; he has hit .243/.289/.375 with three home runs in his first 161 plate appearances. Defensively, he has been solid, throwing out roughly a third of baserunners.
Front‑office officials confirmed that the 10‑day IL placement is part of a broader strategy to preserve roster flexibility. With a vacancy on the 40‑man roster, the only immediate move is to place Susac on the IL and then select a short‑term backup from the minors or the free‑agent market.
The Giants will need to decide on a backup catcher before tonight’s game against the Astros. If a minor‑league player is called up, the organization will likely keep Cavanaugh as the primary catcher and use the new addition in a reserve role. If a veteran free agent is signed, the Giants could shift the backup role to that player while retaining Cavanaugh as the starter.
The injury underscores the importance of depth at catcher. With both Susac and Rodríguez on the IL, the team’s catching corps is thin, and any additional injuries could force the Giants to rely on untested players or make mid‑season roster moves.
In the coming days, the Giants will announce the specific backup catcher and confirm the roster changes. They will also update the public on Susac’s recovery timeline. The next game, a home opener against the Astros, will proceed with Cavanaugh at the plate and the newly selected backup in the dugout.
The Giants’ handling of the situation will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as the organization seeks to balance short‑term needs with long‑term roster construction.
