What we learned as Trevor McDonald shines in MLB return to snap Giants’ skid

SAN FRANCISCO — The numbers didn’t jump off the scoreboard, but in the executive’s suite at Oracle Park on Monday night, there were probably a lot of smiles. The Giants hit their first homer in more than a week, but also had a sacrifice fly and a well-placed RBI single from the man who is supposed to be their best hitter. They had a successful stolen base and worked longer plate appearances than they have for most of the 2026 MLB season. There was a sacrifice bunt, and even some savvy baserunning. This was clean baseball, and for the first time since April 26, it was a win. On a day when Buster Posey shook the roster up, the Giants edged the San Diego Padres 3-2, snapping a six-game losing streak. They fell behind 1-0 early but Casey Schmitt immediately erased the deficit with a solo homer. Rafael Devers drove in a second run with a single up the middle, and later added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly. That was more than enough for Trevor McDonald. Casey smacked the Schmitt out of this one pic.twitter.com/BLGJk1oQfw — SF Giants on NBCS (&commat;NBCSGiants) May 5, 2026 In his return to the big leagues, the right-hander buzzed through seven dominant innings on just 81 pitches. He was on a pitch count, but this time, the bullpen held up. It had a different look, too.Ryan Walker warmed up in the seventh but never got in the game because McDonald never ran into trouble. Keaton Winn had an easy eighth and Caleb Kilian, who appears to be the closer-for-now, came on for the final three outs. Kilian gave up a loud homer right away, but then got through the heart of the order to pick up his first career save.He Can StayMcDonald was added as the 27th man for last Thursday’s doubleheader in Philadelphia but didn’t pitch. That long day meant the Giants would need a spot starter on Monday, and this time it was his turn. Over seven innings, he looked like someone who doesn’t want to go back to Triple-A. Trevor McDonald's return to the big leagues: 7 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts. This is technically a spot start, but the Giants need to find a role for him somewhere on this pitching staff. pic.twitter.com/wLNOlGfcNL — Alex Pavlovic (&commat;PavlovicNBCS) May 5, 2026 McDonald allowed just two hits, both coming from Jackson Merrill, and didn’t walk a Padre. He struck out eight, continuing to show that he can overpower big league hitters when he’s on his game. In 25 innings over the past three seasons, McDonald has 23 strikeouts to just three walks.The Giants don’t have an open spot in their rotation, but they can keep McDonald around while Erik Miller is on the IL with a back strain. He was sharp in the spring, too, and it’s hard to make the argument that he’s not one of their best 13 pitchers right now. There should be a role for him somewhere on this staff. He Can Stay (In The Lineup)A few hours after Posey said the Giants probably would give the veterans some extra days off to make sure Schmitt gets regular playing time, he went out and showed why he’ll be an everyday player for now, even with a crowded infield. Schmitt hit a no-doubter in his first at-bat, tying the game and extending his team lead. The blast was his fifth of the season, and he followed that up two innings later with a 10-pitch walk. Even his strikeout in the fifth was somewhat positive; he saw seven pitches before taking a strike three pitch that was so close that it was challenged. Padres starter Randy Vasquez threw 88 pitches in 5 2/3 innings, and Schmitt saw 23 of them. The New GuysBryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez went right into the lineup after getting called up Monday, but neither had an impact.Eldridge hit a high pop-up in his first at-bat back in the big leagues and then drew a walk the second time up, which will be a helpful addition to this lineup that needs more than just his power. The Giants are a distant last in the big leagues in walk rate but Eldridge was drawing a free pass in 14.6 percent of his plate appearances in Triple-A, and he said Monday afternoon that it was an emphasis for him after he got optioned in March. He struck out in his third at-bat. Rodriguez was 0-for-3 in his MLB debut, but he did a nice job behind the plate. He’s still a work in progress as a catcher, but he worked well with McDonald and had several successful frame jobs as the right-hander piled up strikeouts. With a lead in the late innings, the Giants had Patrick Bailey enter on defense in the eighth. Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

What we learned as Trevor McDonald shines in MLB return to snap Giants’ skid

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