San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
GIANTS RELEASE VET SAMARDZIJA
The San Francisco Giants released veteran righthander Jeff Samardzija on Saturday, a day after he returned from a lengthy shoulder injury and rehab.
Samardzija, an 11-game winner in 2019, was designated for assignment and placed on unconditional release waivers days before his contract was to expire.
The 35-year-old pitcher signed a $90 million, five-year contract with San Francisco in December 2015, but spent much of his Giants tenure sidelined by injuries.
“I usually sit on the bench for a few minutes before I get ready to go. Sitting there was definitely a little emotional. You take for granted all those times before you’ve done it,” Samardzija said of reflecting Friday. “You’re just always going to be there and you’re always going to have that opportunity. I think we all know time goes by real fast. Sitting there looking at the stadium, it’s tough. I’ve had a lot of fun here, very much enjoyed my time. It’s been a first-class organization. I was just taking it all in.”
Samardzija allowed a tworun homer to Fernando Tatis Jr. among his three hits surrendered in three innings of Friday’s 6-5 loss to the Padres. It was his fourth start of 2020 and first appearance since Aug. 7.
The Giants weren’t going to have a start for him if they make the playoffs.
Outfielder Pence retiring
Four-time All-star outfielder Hunter Pence announced his retirement following 14 major league seasons.
The 37-year-old Pence wrote on his Twitter page: “Nothing can really prepare you for this part of your career when you have to say: I am retiring from baseball. Forever thankful and Gr8ful.”
Most recently he was a fan favorite for the Giants, helping the club to a pair of World Series championships after being acquired from the Phillies at the 2012 trade deadline.
Notable
Dave Martinez spoke about managing the Nationals for “many, many years” and over the “long term” and “quite some time,” thanks to his contract extension. Sharing a table to a socially distanced degree with his manager on a video conference call to announce the new deal — each man sporting his 2019 World Series ring on his right hand — Nationals GM Mike Rizzo referred to the agreement’s “multiyear” nature, but repeatedly refused to reveal anything more specific in response to reporters’ questions.
• Major League Baseball suspended White Sox reliever Jimmy Cordero for three games and fined him an undisclosed amount for hitting the Cubs’ Willson Contreras with a pitch. Manager
Rick Renteria was suspended for one game, and he and pitching coach Don Cooper also were fined. Renteria, who served his suspension on Saturday, expected Cordero to appeal his punishment.
• Astros third base coach Gary Pettis has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and will miss the rest of the 2020 season. Pettis, 62, is expected to make a full recovery from this cancer of plasma cells.