AJ Pollock’s time with the San Francisco Giants is reportedly coming to an end after just six at-bats. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Giants have decided to release the veteran outfielder just over a month after acquiring him at the 2023 trade deadline.
Pollock, who is 35 years old, came to San Francisco as part of the team’s lone trade at the deadline, with the Giants sending cash considerations or a player to be named later to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Pollock, utilityman Mark Mathias, and cash considerations.
The decision to acquire Pollock was based on the belief that he could be a change-of-scenery candidate. “Obviously he hasn’t had a great season in Seattle,” said president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi at the time of the trade. “We kind of look at some of the underlying measures of plate discipline, how he’s moving around the field, his sprint speeds are good, and we just view him as a really good change-of-scenery candidate. He’s got a lot of relationships with people here, guys that he’s played with before, and I know that all those guys are really excited to have him because he’s just a great presence in the clubhouse.”
Pollock appeared in five games for the Giants, making a pair of starts in the outfield. However, he struggled at the plate, going 0-for-6 with two strikeouts. His time with the Giants was further hampered by an oblique strain he suffered in early August. The injury was expected to keep him sidelined for about three weeks.
In his injury rehab assignment with the Sacramento River Cats over the weekend, Pollock had a lackluster performance, going 1-for-6 with three strikeouts and a walk in two games.
Given the crowded outfield picture for the Giants, it was unclear how Pollock would fit into the team’s plans long-term, especially considering the fact that he was recovering from a hamstring injury at the time of the trade. With the return of Mike Yastrzemski from the injured list and several other right-handed hitting outfielders to choose from, the Giants have decided to part ways with Pollock.
The veteran outfielder’s tenure in San Francisco may have been short-lived, but the Giants are confident in the depth they have in the outfield and the contributions of their other players.