Editor's note: Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi confirmed the decision to DFA Derek Holland prior to Sunday's game against the New York Mets.
SAN FRANCISCO — Derek Holland found new life on the baseball field when he came to the Giants last year, but his run ended Sunday.
The Giants designated Holland for assignment, per a source, clearing one of two roster spots they’ll need before Sunday’s game against the Mets.
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The team already has announced that lefty prospect Conner Menez will start Sunday, and a source told NBC Sports Bay Area that infielder Zach Green also is getting called up.
Holland, 32, had a rough 2017 with the White Sox, but he made adjustments after he came to the Giants and posted a 3.57 ERA last season. The Giants re-signed him in the offseason, but the results weren’t the same, and Holland -- who has a 5.90 ERA -- mostly has pitched out of the bullpen.
Of Holland’s 31 appearances, 24 have been in relief. He was throwing better of late and had been used in high-leverage roles on the last road trip. Holland’s fastball got back up to 96 mph this week, and it seemed he could be in line for a bigger role if the Giants traded Will Smith or Tony Watson. But Holland gave up four runs Saturday, and was cut soon thereafter.
On Sunday, the Giants also optioned Ty Blach and DFA'd Ryder Jones to make room for Green and Menez.
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The Giants will need to make one more move Sunday to clear a 40-man spot. As they climb back into the wild-card race, a youth movement is underway. Menez joins two rookies in the rotation already.