On Friday morning, the Los Angeles Dodgers released Drew Pomeranz from his minor league deal. The San Francisco Giants announced they are signing the left-hander to a one-year deal, per Andrew Baggarly of The Atheltic. Right-hander Mason Black was optioned while catcher Jakson Reetz was designated for assignment. For Pomeranz, he opted out of a previous deal with the Dodgers in April before re-signing. He signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason but was released.
OK, Giants announced it: Drew Pomeranz, who was released by Dodgers earlier today, has signed a one-year contract. Mason Black optioned, Jakson Reetz DFAd.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) May 24, 2024
Drew Pomeranz Reunites with the Giants
Pomeranz, 35, returned to the major leagues for the first time since 2021. He was with the San Diego Padres at the time but required flexor tendon surgery, hitting multiple setbacks in an attempt to return to the majors in the previous two years. Pomeranz didn’t make the Angels Opening Day roster following eight innings of work at spring training. He went on to sign a minor league deal with the Dodgers. From there, Pomeranz was pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City. After he opted out and then re-signed, he landed on the injured list.
He’s made two appearances since returning from the IL, collecting seven strikeouts in three scoreless innings. For the season, Pomeranz has nine innings under his belt with six earned runs allowed, but four of those came in his first appearance. After innings later, he owns a 2.25 ERA with a 48.3 percent strikeout rate and a 3.4 percent walk rate.
The Giants Can Give Pomeranz Optimism
Prior to his injuries and winning the World Series with the Boston Red Sox, Pomeranz had the role of a lockdown reliever. A good part of that began with the Giants, who signed him to a one-year deal in 2019. However, he had a 6.10 ERA through 17 starts which saw the Giants move him to the bullpen. His work as a reliever was enough to trade him to the Milwaukee Brewers alongside Ray Black for Mauricio Dubón. In Milwaukee, Pomeranz was dominant and carried that success to the Padres going into 2020. He pitched well for the Padres, posting a 1.91 ERA from the time he was traded to Milwaukee to the end of 2021.
For the Giants, the return of Pomeranz is a low-cost signing. He will be with the team Friday night as another bullpen option that has Taylor Rogers and Erik Miller from the left side. The Giants have won seven of their last ten games as they’re a game back of a Wild Card spot. San Francisco has a collective 4.59 ERA with their relievers, which is 25th in the majors.
Main Photo: Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
