SAN FRANCISCO — Decisions in the bullpen come under constant observation, and that scrutiny is especially intense for a manager like Tony Vitello.

So far, he’s been largely unaffected by that pressure.

Unlike Gabe Kapler, who faced backlash during his first game as Phillies manager for signaling a relief pitcher without anyone warming up, Vitello avoided such blunders. He also didn’t make the mistake of calling up pitchers whose names weren’t listed on the lineup card, a move Kapler made during his second stint with the Giants.

Despite the myriad performance issues, the onus of responsibility falls heavier on the manager than on the front office’s decisions.

The most glaring misstep from this rookie manager seemed to be a moment of confusion during a change, which left bullpen coach Jesse Chavez visibly frustrated.

However, things took a turn this week.

On Sunday, Keaton Wynn was placed on injured reserve due to right elbow tightness, with Tristan Beck taking his place in the bullpen.

Wynn hadn’t pitched since Vitello summoned him for the third straight game on Monday night, during which he allowed three runs and contributed to a 4-3 loss. That decision didn’t just cost the Giants a game—it may have more severe repercussions.

This isn’t college baseball, where coaches often overwork pitchers. This is Major League Baseball, where each player’s health is managed as a valuable asset.

Interestingly, no one from the Giants’ coaching or medical team raised any concerns about Wynn’s ability to pitch to Vitello during their pregame meeting.

But it isn’t all on Vitello. This situation reflects a broader organizational oversight.

Wynn had assured Vitello he was fit to play for three consecutive games, something he hadn’t done previously in either the minors or the majors.

Additionally, team officials indicated that no concerns were mentioned about Wynn’s readiness during the daily discussions.

Logan Webb, who was performing exceptionally well with 99 pitches, didn’t call for a ninth pitch, despite being one of the few players who avoided travel exhaustion from a late flight from Chicago. He later confided his regret about not being more forthcoming with Vitello.

The organization initially believed Wynn would just need “a few days of rest.” However, Vitello noted that Wynn has a history of elbow issues, which included Tommy John surgery back in 2021 and another surgery that ended his 2024 season.

It’s fairly straightforward to connect the dots between Wynn’s heavy pitching load, the decision to have him pitch again on the third consecutive day, and the elbow pain he has experienced since.

Yet, Vitello’s concerns seemed to center more around the game’s outcome than Wynn’s physical health.

“More than anything, I wish we had done something different to win the game,” Vitello reflected. “The fact that we had a player available means he feels confident enough to pitch.”

Vitello confers with the pitching coach and medical staff before each game to identify who is available. While Wynn has previously been sidelined for health reasons, Vitello stated that there were no issues raised on Monday.

Caleb Killian, who had pitched the previous two games, was deemed unavailable in those discussions, largely due to throwing only 23 pitches compared to Wynn’s 41 in the same game.

Killian was officially named the closer by Vitello recently, although insiders considered Wynn to be the team’s closer leading up to their trip on Monday.

If the situation allowed, they intended to bring Wynn in at the end of the game, according to Vitello.

Ultimately, the choice boiled down to having Wynn push his limits or requiring Webb to return prematurely from the disabled list, a situation that would push his pitch count into uncomfortable territory.

Vitello had directly asked Webb how he was feeling, to which Webb replied, “That’s up to you. It’s your decision.”

The effectiveness of a manager is tightly linked to the players he has and the information he receives, yet he must take responsibility when things go awry.

When asked about a connection between Wynn’s usage and his elbow pain, Vitello responded, “Honestly, I think some of that is due to the nature of split fingers.”

Even with better judgment on the line, it’s hard to say if Webb could have completed the game. Anyway, Wynn was placed in a situation beyond his capabilities.

Now, all the Giants can do is hope that Wynne doesn’t face a third elbow surgery down the line.