Giants rookie catcher Daniel Susac diagnosed with fractured left patella, will be evaluated before treatment plan

The San Francisco Giants said rookie catcher Daniel Susac has been diagnosed with a fractured patella in his left knee, setting up a short-term decision window on how the team will manage his recovery and roster needs. According to the Giants’ communication as reported by MLB Trade Rumors, Susac will meet with doctors on the evening following the diagnosis to determine a treatment plan.

A patellar fracture is significant for a catcher, because the kneecap is critical to stabilizing force and movement on defensive plays and in receiving positions. While the specific severity, surgical status, and timeline were not detailed in the report, the Giants’ next steps will hinge on what specialists recommend after the examination.

The injury also immediately changes how the Giants will staff their catching role. The report notes San Francisco will need to make a 40-man roster move and that the team is expected to place Susac on the 10-day injured list shortly, a typical procedural response for an ailment that affects the ability to play.

For day-to-day game planning, the catching staff will likely shift toward Drew Cavanaugh and Jesus Rodriguez, who are referenced as the current options as San Francisco adjusts. With Susac unavailable, the organization will have to manage both the defensive workload and the right-handed and left-handed matchup considerations that often shape who starts behind the plate in a given series.

There is also a practical element to the timing. The report frames the roster move as necessary before the Giants play Houston, underscoring the urgency of activating or recalling a catcher and aligning pitching usage with a new receiving look. Even without additional details on the recovery course, the Giants will be operating with less certainty than usual in planning the remainder of this stretch.

What to watch next is whether the Giants’ medical evaluation results in a conservative approach or a more involved plan, because that would strongly affect the length of time Susac is sidelined. The next public update from the team, including any official designation and the name of the player added to the active roster, will clarify how quickly San Francisco can stabilize its catching rotation.

Beyond roster logistics, Susac’s status carries developmental implications. As a rookie, he is learning the daily rhythm of the position and building trust with pitchers, and a missed span can slow those on-field connections. The Giants will look to preserve that momentum as much as possible with their remaining catchers while Susac continues to be evaluated and treated.