According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, the Giants are releasing veteran outfielder AJ Pollock.
Pollock, the Giants’ biggest trade deadline addition, went 0-for-6 in five games with San Francisco.
Pollock has been recovering from an oblique strain, and he played two rehab assignment games for the River Cats over the weekend. Still, with a roster crunch both on the 40-man and in the outfield, his spot in the organization was precarious.
Reliever John Brebbia is due back from the 60-day injured list, so removing Pollock from the roster creates a spot for him. The Giants’ outfield is also now crowded with players who are above Pollock on the depth chart. That list includes Wade Meckler, Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Slater, Mitch Haniger, Joc Pederson and Blake Sabol. Even Heliot Ramos and Luis Matos, both of whom are at Triple-A currently, are likely better options than Pollock.
At 35 years old, Pollock has hit .165 with a .524 OPS with the Mariners and Giants this season. Although his sprint speed is still elite, he’s battled injuries and hasn’t come close to replicating the production from his prime years.
Acquiring Pollock in the first place was a low-risk proposition. San Francisco sent out a player to be named later for Pollock, utility player Mark Mathias and cash.