Daniel Susac to Be Giants’ Primary Catcher in 2027
The team is planning for Susac to start if he recovers fully from the knee injury that ended his 2026 campaign.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Baseball
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As the San Francisco Giants look toward the 2027 season, catcher Daniel Susac remains the primary candidate to start behind the plate. His role is currently being evaluated by the team as he recovers from a left knee patella fracture sustained late in the 2026 season.
Why it matters
The Giants are counting on Susac to anchor the defensive unit following the 2026 trade of Patrick Bailey. His potential availability for Opening Day is a key uncertainty for the roster construction as the team monitors his rehabilitation progress.
In 53 games during the 2026 season, Susac recorded a .243 batting average and a 32 percent base runner throw out rate. It remains unknown if he will be fully cleared for duty by the start of the 2027 season.
The players
Daniel Susac
The San Francisco Giants catcher who is working to return from a knee injury for the 2027 season.
San Francisco Giants
The professional baseball team preparing their roster for the upcoming 2027 season.
The details
After being acquired by the Giants in December 2025, Susac logged 161 plate appearances and registered 8 fielding run value before suffering his injury on August 10, 2026. The organization expects him to be ready for the upcoming year, but they have identified Drew Cavanaugh, Jesus Rodriguez, and Andrew Knizner as potential options if he is not healthy by Opening Day. Management is expected to provide further updates on his status as spring training approaches.
Timeline
December 2025: Susac is acquired by the Giants via trade.
May 9, 2026: The Giants trade Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians.
August 10, 2026: Susac suffers a left knee patella fracture.
August 19, 2026: Susac is placed on the 60-day injured list.
Across the Bay
The team's reliance on Susac marks a departure from the defensive configuration established by the 2026 trade of Patrick Bailey. This transition follows a pattern of roster shuffling the Giants have undertaken to stabilize the catcher position.
Fans watching the 2027 season should look for who takes the field behind the plate during Opening Day. The status of the catching rotation will dictate the defensive consistency the team can maintain in the early months of the year.
The takeaway
The team’s defensive viability hinges on the recovery of their primary catcher from a knee fracture. Watch the official spring training roster releases to see if Susac is cleared for game action.
Further reading
For more on roster moves and team updates, visit Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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