San Francisco Giants: X-Factors For The 2015 Season

Matt Cain, Starting Pitcher

Mar 29, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain (18) on the mound during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

The story of Matt Cain is another one of a stud pitcher who has been derailed the past couple of years. Unlike Lincecum’s downfall though, Cain’s failures have been primarily due to injuries.

After being an All-Star and a top ten finisher in the Cy Young race in 2011-12, Cain fell off in 2013 before suffering a season ending injury in 2014. In 2013, Cain struggled to the tune of a 4.00 ERA. In 2014, Cain was only able to make 15 starts before going down in August with an elbow injury. He had surgery in the offseason to remove bone chips from his injured elbow.

Cain’s 2015 has unfortunately, not gotten off to a better start. He was recently injured before making his scheduled first start of the season. After UCL damage worries the injury managed to “just” be a flexor tendon strain. While no arm injury is good, there was no ligament damage found. Cain was sent to the DL, but upon return should be very close to being fully healthy.

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When Cain does return, he must find his All-Star form again. The Giants pitching rotation is already beset with injuries. Along with Cain, Jake Peavy –w ho was just re-signed in the offseason — is also on the shelf. These injuries have led to Ryan Vogelsong, brought in as “insurance” in case of emergency, being inserted into the starting rotation.

While the signing of Vogelsong looks smart, as the Giants are now struggling with pitching injuries, needing an emergency starter should not have occurred within the first week of the season.

If Cain were to return to his old form, he could create a dynamic 1-2 punch with Madison Bumgarner atop the Giants pitching rotation. Cain needs to return as at least a feasible starter, as the Giants cannot afford another lost season from one of the former best pitchers in the game. San Francisco needs some form of stability in their starting rotation from Matt Cain.

Next: Outfielders: Gregor Blanco & Justin Maxwell