Logan Webb faced a tough outing on May 5, 2026, as he was pulled from the game after just four innings in a 10-5 loss to the San Diego Padres due to knee discomfort.
Why it matters: Webb's early exit raises concerns about his health and performance as the Giants struggle this season. His ERA of 5.06 is alarming for a pitcher of his caliber.
Webb allowed six runs on 62 pitches, marking his shortest outing in nearly three years.
The Giants have now lost 2 of 6 games in which Webb has started this season.
His current ERA is the highest through eight starts since his rookie season in 2019.
Driving the news: Manager Tony Vitello revealed that Webb's knee discomfort was the primary reason for his removal, saying, "It's nothing to freak out about in my opinion." This statement aims to quell fears about Webb's long-term health.
Vitello noted that the discomfort cropped up during the game and was not previously reported.
After Webb's exit, the bullpen struggled, allowing four additional runs over the final four innings.
Webb's performance is particularly concerning as he has been the Giants' most reliable pitcher in recent years.
State of play: Webb struck out both Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado twice before faltering in the fourth inning, where the Padres capitalized on his diminished velocity.
In the fourth, the Padres sent nine batters to the plate, scoring five runs, including doubles from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Sung-Mun Song.
Webb admitted he was not at his best, stating, "Not an excuse for anything that happened out there." He acknowledged that he probably shouldn't have continued pitching.
His performance at Oracle Park has been particularly poor, with an 0-3 record and 16 earned runs allowed in 23 innings this season.
The big picture: Webb's struggles come at a time when the Giants are trying to find their footing in a challenging season.
The team relies heavily on Webb, who has been a consistent performer in the rotation.
Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey emphasized the need for the "big three" hitters to step up, which includes Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, and Rafael Devers.
As Webb battles through discomfort, the team’s success hinges on his ability to regain form.
What they're saying: Webb and Vitello both expressed confidence that the knee issue is not serious.
"I think for now discomfort is something we have to battle and we’ll see what we’ve got tomorrow," Vitello said.
Webb echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that his poor performance was not due to the knee but rather his pitching execution.
"I gave up a bloop hit down the third base line and another one down the right field line," Webb explained. "Just bad pitching."
By the numbers: Webb's statistics paint a troubling picture for the Giants.
He has a 5.06 ERA through eight starts, which is a stark increase from the 2.61 ERA he held through his first eight outings last season.
Webb has a WHIP of 1.40, indicating he is allowing more base runners than in previous seasons.
This season, he is 0-3 at Oracle Park, a stark departure from his career home ERA of 2.91.
What's next: The Giants are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers next week, and Webb is expected to be cleared for that start.
Vitello indicated that the team will monitor Webb's knee closely leading up to the game.
Webb's performance against the Dodgers will be closely examined as the Giants look to turn their season around.
Fans will hope to see the return of the consistent pitcher they have relied on in past seasons.
As the Giants navigate this rough patch, attention will turn to Webb as he attempts to bounce back from this setback and help lead his team to victory.