San Francisco Giants Release Trade Deadline Acquisition

The San Francisco Giants have announced their decision to release 35-year-old outfielder AJ Pollock, marking the end of his brief tenure with the team.

Acquired earlier in the year from the Seattle Mariners, Pollock's time with the Giants was marked by injuries and a notable decline in his on-field performance.

A strained oblique injury sidelined him for nearly a month, during which he embarked on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento. However, his rehab stint yielded limited results, going 1-for-6 with a double, a walk, and three strikeouts.

RELEASED: #SFGiants have released OF AJ Pollock.

— MLB Transaction Tracker (@MLBMovesTracker) September 5, 2023

Hopes were high for Pollock to bolster the Giants' offense against left-handed pitchers, but he struggled to make an impact in just five big league games upon his return.

In those five games, he registered two strikeouts in six at-bats without a hit or walk. Throughout the season, his overall performance at the plate has been disappointing, as reflected in his .165/.215/.305 slash line and a career-high 22.2% strikeout rate.

Source: The Giants have decided to release outfielder AJ Pollock. He played for Triple-A Sacramento over the weekend on an injury rehab assignment. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 5, 2023

Once he clears release waivers, Pollock will enter free agency, facing the challenge of securing a minor league deal for the 2024 season given his current trajectory of performance.

Pollock's release underlines the challenges he faced during the season, including injuries and a struggle to find his groove at the plate.

As he navigates the next steps in his career, his performance will likely play a significant role in determining his future in professional baseball. Photo Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports