San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Cole Waites (elbow) missed most of the last two seasons due to injuries -- he strained his late just before spring training in 2023 and had Tommy John surgery that September -- but he's now finished with his rehab from Tommy John surgery and is ready for spring training in February. Waites has now had more than a full year to rehab and build strength in his body and arm. The 26-year-old showed promising signs on the mound before his injuries and was sitting at 97-99 mph with his fastball. The former 18th-round pick in 2019 out of West Alabama has allowed seven runs (six earned) while walking six and fanning six in eight relief innings for the Giants in 2022 and 2023 and will merely be a reliever to watch heading into next season.
San Francisco Giants right-hander Cole Waites (lat) said he will be re-evaluated on Sunday and hopes to begin throwing again in camp on Monday. Waites is recovering from a right lat strain that he suffered before spring training, so he's a bit behind the other starters in camp. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Giants, allowing two earned runs on six hits while walking four and striking out four in 5 2/3 innings over seven relief appearances. As long as he doesn't suffer any more setbacks in spring training, Waites should have enough time to get ready for Opening Day.