Report: SF Giants to release former Mariners, White Sox, Dodgers outfielder
The SF Giants are going to release outfielder A.J. Pollock, according to a report by Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Pollock is currently on the injured list but recently began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento. His release will create an opening on the 40-man roster, which will likely be used for reliever John Brebbia, who needs to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to be activated. Pollock has gone 1-for-6 with a double, walk, and three strikeouts in two games at Triple-A Sacramento.
The Giants acquired Pollock from the Seattle Mariners alongside infielder Mark Mathias in the team's lone deal at the trade deadline. Mathias has since been placed on the 60-day injured list, meaning neither of San Francisco's deadline acquisitions will play for the team in September.
Pollock was hopeful he could bounce back from the worst slump of his career in San Francisco, but hitting the injured list just as young right-handed hitting outfielder Heliot Ramos (Giants Top 30 Prospect) caught fire robbed Pollock of a prolonged opportunity. He only appeared in five games with the Giants, but on the season, he is hitting .165/.215/.308 with five home runs in 144 plate appearances.
Pollock is a 12-year MLB veteran who has previously won a Gold Glove and received an All-Star selection. However, he has fallen far from the peak of his career.
Pollock began his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting in center field for seven seasons before becoming a free agent and inking a four-year, $55 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Injuries limited Pollock to just 258 games across three seasons in LA, but he was incredibly productive against left-handed pitching and hit .282/.337/.519 with the Dodgers. Before the final season of his contract, though, Pollock was traded to the White Sox for Craig Kimbrel. His production immediately dipped in Chicago, which forced him to settle for a one-year, $7 million deal with the Mariners this offseason.
The SF Giants need to turn things around in September if they want to reach the playoffs. However, the front office has admitted that trade deadline acquisition A.J. Pollock will not be a part of that equation after deciding to release him on Monday night.
