SF Giants Make Shocking Move with Former Closer Ryan Walker

Ryan Walker was a high-leverage option for portions of the previous two years for the San Francisco Giants. He was their closer for periods of each of 2024 and 2025, posting 27 saves. He came into the 2026 season as their designated closer.

But after posting a 6.46 ERA this season, even worse at 9.95 over his last seven outings, and blowing three of his six save chances, Ryan has now been sent to the minors by the Giants.

The Giants optioned Ryan Walker back to Triple-A. Gregory Santos was also optioned. Sam Hentges is back from rehab and Dylan Smith was called up from Triple-A.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) May 10, 2026

Over his last four appearances, Walker blew two saves and gave up seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings, pushing his WHIP up to 1.89 on the season.

Ryan Walker sent to Triple-A for first time in three years

This will be the 30-year-old's first trip back to Triple-A since 2023.

GM Zach Minasian noted this past offseason that Walker was on a bit of a rollercoaster ride last season, but hoped he would come out this year stronger for it.

“A lot of times you see this with bullpen arms. They can get on a roll, they get used a lot and then you see maybe a little bit of downturn the next year. Then they don't get used as much, and then you see a little bit of upturn the following year. So you can see a little bit of that yo-yo of performance.

"I think it's really important for those players to go through that and realize they can come out on the other end."

Walker hasn't, and will now try to come out of it by resetting himself at AAA.

Over 218 innings pitched in the majors, across four seasons, he has a 3.22 ERA and 10.4 K/9. If he can right himself and get his groove back, he should be able to re-join the Giants bullpen at some point.