Adames receives PRP injection in elbow, could be done for year

SAN FRANCISCO -- Shortstop Willy Adames was to get a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his sprained left elbow Thursday, which might end his season. On the plus side, a second opinion from noted orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas did not yield a recommendation for surgery.

Manager Tony Vitello said Adames, who turns 31 on Tuesday, would rest his arm for three or four weeks after the PRP injection. Any hope for Adames’ return in 2026 rests on the sprained ulnar collateral ligament being on in his non-throwing arm.

However, Vitello sounded more pessimistic than optimistic about Adames playing again this year.

“If you’re going to abide by that timeline, you just look at the calendar and see where that puts you,” he said. “He could press to come back the last week of the year, maybe, at best. I don’t know how reasonable or realistic that is, but it’s also somewhat pointless to talk about at this point because we’ll have to see how that rest serves him.”

Asked if Adames could return as a designated hitter, Vitello said possibly, but “there’s other guys that need to do that too and get some at-bats.”

If Adames does not return, he will end his second season with the Giants hitting .230 with a .713 OPS and 21 home runs.