After six strikeouts in a Giants uniform, AJ Bullock’s short time with San Francisco is said to be coming to an end.
The Giants decided to release the veteran player just over a month after he was acquired by the 2023 trade deadline, MLB Network’s John Morosi reported Monday, citing a source.
The 35-year-old came to San Francisco as part of the team’s solo trade at the deadline, with the Giants sending cash considerations or a player to be named later to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Bullock, utility man Mark Mathias, and cash considerations.
“He obviously didn’t have a great season in Seattle,” said President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi after the trade. “We’re kind of looking at some basic metrics of plate discipline, how he’s moving around the field, sprinting speeds are good, and we’re looking at him as a really good candidate for a change of scenery. He’s got a lot of relationships with the people here, the guys he’s played with before, and I know that All of these guys are really excited to have him because he’s just such a great presence at the club.
“It fills a short-term need on the field [Mike Yastrzemski] He’s stepped back, but even with players coming back I think there’s a role for him to be part of our rotation on the pitch and help us out.
Pollock appeared in five games for the Giants and pitched two games, going 0-for-6 with two hits at the plate, before suffering an oblique strain in early August that was expected to sideline him for about three weeks.
He was pulled from the Giants’ 7–5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on August 8 in the third inning due to an injury and was placed on the 10-day injured list the following day. On injury rehabilitation assignment with the Sacramento River Cats over the weekend, Bullock went 1-for-6 with three hits and a walk in two games.
It wasn’t clear how Bullock would fit into the Giants’ long-term crowded ballpark profile when he was acquired on July 31, especially given the fact that he was recovering from a hamstring injury at the time.
He might have had a chance to contribute had he stayed healthy, but with Mike Yastrzemski back from his stint on the IL and so many other right-handed outfielders to choose from, San Francisco seems to have decided that Bullock’s tenure at the Bay will be short. -Live.
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