Hayden Birdsong’s demotion combined with Justin Verlander’s inconsistency highlight the team’s need for major-league rotation depth as the July 31 trade deadline looms. It’s an issue that has been brewing since the team sent Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Rafael Devers.

The Giants already had a hole in their rotation after demoting Hayden Birdsong to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday. Now they have two. Right-hander Landen Roupp, who had emerged as the club’s No. 3 starter behind All-Stars Logan Webb and Robbie Ray,

Logan Webb took the mound at Oracle Park on a frigid Friday night with an opportunity to spell the relievers, to keep them rested for the looming tasks at hand. Specifically, the bullpen’s multi-inning relievers. He has proven himself capable, more often than not, of pitching deep into ballgames.

San Francisco manager Bob Melvin hopes Landen Roupp's right elbow injury was caught in time amid the Giants' starting rotation woes.

While the market offers plenty of high-priced rotation pieces (e.g. Sandy Alcantara, Mitch Keller, Charlie Morton, Seth Lugo ), there are still plenty of affordable arms to be had. Jeffrey Springs ’ $10.5MM salary (both this year and next) is relatively manageable, and he’d provide stability beyond the current season.

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The San Francisco Giants announced a series of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon, some of which have raised some eyebrows. According to an announcement of the t

Birdsong’s demotion now leaves the rotation as Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Justin Verlander, Landen Roupp and others. Webb and Ray were both All-Stars, but they’re both coming off nightmare starts, and they’ve struggled more recently than they previously had all season.

With Hayden Birdsong's demotion, it’s clear the Giants have had enough of the rotation’s struggles and are moving in a different direction.

The SF Giants demoted Hayden Birdsong after his disastrous start on Monday against the Atlanta Braves. He leaves a hole in the starting rotation that may end up