Carson Whisenhunt faces Tommy John surgery after UCL tear

San Francisco Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt is expected to undergo surgery after an MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow. The injury occurred during a game against the Cincinnati Reds on August 24, 2026, when Whisenhunt experienced sudden pain while pitching in the third inning.

Whisenhunt, a 25-year-old former second-round draft pick, may miss the remainder of the 2026 season and potentially much of 2027 depending on whether he undergoes a full Tommy John reconstruction or an internal brace procedure. He joins teammates Hayden Birdsong and Trevor McDonald as the third Giants starter to require major elbow surgery this season.

In related roster moves, the Giants placed right-hander Adrian Houser on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. To fill the vacancy, the team called up reliever Braxton Roxby from Triple-A Sacramento and moved Whisenhunt to the 60-day injured list.