Hayden Birdsong’s demotion combined with Justin Verlander’s inconsistency highlight the team’s need for major-league rotation depth as the July 31 trade deadline looms. It’s an issue that has been brewing since the team sent Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Rafael Devers.

Birdsong’s demotion now leaves the rotation as Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Justin Verlander, Landen Roupp and others. Webb and Ray were both All-Stars, but they’re both coming off nightmare starts, and they’ve struggled more recently than they previously had all season.

The SF Giants demoted Hayden Birdsong after his disastrous start on Monday against the Atlanta Braves. He leaves a hole in the starting rotation that may end up

With Hayden Birdsong's demotion, it’s clear the Giants have had enough of the rotation’s struggles and are moving in a different direction.

Hayden Birdsong endured another rough outing, failing to record an out and continuing a brutal stretch. Despite his struggles, the 23-year-old still has the potential to emerge as an X-factor in the Giants’ rotation during the second half.

The fourth place in the NLE Atlanta Braves took on the third place in the NLW San Francisco Giants in a matchup that looked like it would be an offensive shootout. Bryce Elder has been struggling for the Braves and Hayden Birdsong has been struggling for the Giants.