The Atlanta Braves reassigned Ken Giles to their minor league camp Friday. It ends the former closer’s bid to make the Opening Day roster. Giles was hoping to get his injury-plagued career back on track; he had stints with the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays. The 33-year-old has made only nine major league appearances since 2019.
Ken Giles Misses Opening Day Roster
Giles worked three innings in three spring training appearances for the Braves. After two scoreless stints, he surrender a run on a hit and two walks in a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. He will likely begin the season at Triple-A Gwinett with the chance of a promotion to Atlanta if he can stay healthy.
“We didn’t know coming in what we would see,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ve been very impressed with him. And to do right by him, and get him stretched out and built up, it was just getting to a point where there wasn’t consistent enough work. So just get him over there and get himself going again. He’s very receptive to the whole thing. It’s more about where he’s at right now.”
Giles Was One of the Best Relievers at His Peak
Giles was a consistent force at his peak. He came up through the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system, debuting in 2014 while delivering a sub-2.00 ERA season. From 2014-2019, Giles racked up 114 saves between the Phillies, Astros and Blue Jays while pitching a 2.67 ERA. Unfortunately, Giles endured multiple injury stints that derailed the excellent start to his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020, wiping out his 2021 season entirely.
Staying Healthy
The Seattle Mariners gave Giles a two-year deal from the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Seattle hoped he would be healthy for the second year of that contract. However, a strained tendon in his pitching hand pushed back his debut. Giles went on to pitch 4 1/3 innings with the Mariners over the course of his two-year contract. The Mariners didn’t give Giles a club offer for the 2023 season, pitching 20 innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league ranks last year. Four full seasons have now passed since Giles was consistent on the mound. It’s perhaps a long shot for him ever to rediscover that form.
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