Jeff

Samardzija

Samardzija was released by the Giants in 2020 after registering an ugly 9.72 ERA in four starts for San Francisco over the summer. The right-hander has history in Chicago, as he had some of his best seasons while a member of the Cubs before leaving the organization in 2014. Considering his recent struggles, it would seem very likely that Samardzija would be signing an incentive-laden team with whatever club he lands on this winter or spring.

Wow. It’s been a brutal year for the right-hander, who has a 9.72 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in four starts, but this news still comes as a bit of a shock. That said, the Giants are in a fight for their playoff lives and must have better use for his roster spot with a few games left still to play. He was set to be a free agent after the season anyway, so this just gives Samardzija a jump on finding a new club. He’ll turn 36 years old in January.

It was Samardzija’s first appearance since Aug. 7, when he gave up five earned runs to fall to 0-2 with a 9.88 ERA. He’s doing his best with diminished stuff, but he’d seem to be a poor use of a roster spot if the Giants advance to the postseason.

Samardzija will start the second game of Friday’s doubleheader against the Padres. He’s been out since early August with a right shoulder injury.

Samardzija has been on the injured list since early August because of a right shoulder impingement, but it looks like he might be able to fit in one more start before the end of the regular season. The 35-year-old impending free agent had allowed 16 runs -- 15 earned -- through his first 13 2/3 innings (three starts) this summer.

The Giants have indicated that they’re unsure what role “Shark” will fill in the final weeks, but the fact that he’s being stretched out to five innings would seem to suggest he’ll go back into the rotation. He’s been out since early August with a right shoulder impingement.

Samardzija really struggled before going down with a shoulder injury last month. Given that and the fact that his contract runs out after the season, Samardzija might be in line for mop-up duty when he’s activated. He threw a three-inning simulated game Saturday and could throw another one before he returns, although that hasn’t been determined yet.

The right-hander threw around 50 pitches in the contest without any issues. Teammate Drew Smyly also threw 50 pitches in the game and came out of it well. They will each be evaluated on Sunday before determining the next step.

Samardzija resumed throwing on flat ground last week and has made steady progress thus far. He landed on the injured list August 8 after being diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement. If everything continues to go smoothly, the veteran right-hander could return to the Giants around mid-September.

It’s going to be a long road back for Samardzija, who has been shut down since landing on the injured list August 8 with a right shoulder impingement. He won’t be an option before early-to-mid September.