After six hits in a Giants uniform, AJ Bullock’s short time with San Francisco is reportedly coming to an end.
The Giants decided to release the veteran outfielder just over a month after acquiring him at the 2023 trade deadline, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Monday, citing a source.
The 35-year-old came to San Francisco as part of the team’s lone trade at the deadline, in which the Giants sent cash considerations or a player to be named later to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Pollock, utility man Mark Mathias and cash considerations.
“He obviously didn’t have a great season in Seattle,” President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi said after the trade. “We’re kind of looking at some basic metrics of plate discipline, how he moves around the court, good sprint speeds, and we’re looking at him as a really good candidate for a change of scenery. He’s got a lot of relationships with people here, guys he’s played with before, and I know that All these guys are really excited to have him because he’s just a great presence in the club.
“He fills a short-term need on the field [Mike Yastrzemski] He’s backed off, but even with the guys coming back, I think there’s a role for him to be part of our rotation on the field and help us out.
Bullock appeared in five games for the Giants and made two starts in the outfield, 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 with an injury and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day. In an injury rehab assignment with the Sacramento RiverCats over the weekend, Bullock went 1-for-6 with three strikeouts and a walk in two games.
It wasn’t clear how Bullock would fit into the Giants’ crowded outfield picture long-term 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 returning from his stint in the IL and several other right-handed outfielders to choose from, San Francisco appears to have decided Bullock’s time in the Bay will be short. -Live.
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