Samardzija was designated for assignment and placed on unconditional release waivers by the Giants on Saturday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Samardzija made his final start of the regular season Friday after missing most of the year with right shoulder inflammation. He was believed to be a bullpen option for the Giants during the postseason, but he'll be let go as the team pushes for a playoff spot over the last two days of the season. The 35-year-old was in the final year of his contract with San Francisco, but he said Saturday that he's "100 percent" committed to continuing his career in 2021.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: No-decision in nightcap
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Samardzija gave up three runs on three hits while fanning one across three innings but did not factor into the decision in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Padres on Friday.
Samardzija had been sidelined since early August with right shoulder inflammation and, while he didn't impress anyone with his performance, he was healthy enough to throw 46 pitches (31 strikes) Friday. That could be relevant since the veteran right-hander might be available out of the bullpen if the Giants make the playoffs.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Back to start Friday's nightcap
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Samardzija (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list to start Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander has been sidelined by early August with right shoulder inflammation, but he's set to rejoin the roster ahead of the final weekend of the regular season. Samardzija threw a five-inning simulated game last week and had a thee-inning session this week, so he appears to be fairly stretched out. He struggled with a 9.88 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 13.1 innings before going down with the injury. The Giants don't have any openings in the rotation beyond the twin bill, so the 35-year-old seems likely to shift to the bullpen after Friday, though that will only be relevant if the Giants make the playoffs.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: May pick up start Friday
Rotowire
Samardzija (shoulder) could be activated from the 10-day injured list to start one half of Friday's doubleheader with the Padres, the Associated Press reports.
Samardzija moved to the IL on Aug. 8 with right shoulder inflammation, but the 35-year-old is seemingly back to full health now. The playoff-hopeful Giants don't currently have an opening in their five-man rotation for Samardzija, though that will change due to the doubleheader, which will result in the team closing out the regular season with six games in five days. Samardzija has seemingly kept his arm conditioned for starting duty at the Giants' alternate site in Sacramento, as he followed up a five-inning simulated game last week with a three-inning throwing session Monday. If Samardzija does indeed get a starting nod in the twin bill, he would be difficult to trust from a fantasy standpoint after he posted a 9.88 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over his three outings prior to landing on the IL.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Throwing five-inning sim game
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Samardzija (shoulder) will throw a five-inning simulated game at the alternate training site Thursday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The veteran right-hander completed a four-inning sim game last week with strong results, and he'll continue building up his workload Thursday. The availability of Kevin Gausman (elbow) could determine whether Samardzija works as a starter or reliever upon his return from the injured list.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Could be bullpen bound
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The Giants have yet to clarify what Samardzija's (shoulder) role will look like when he's activated from the 10-day injured list, but he appears more likely to work out of the bullpen than rejoining the rotation, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.
Though manager Gabe Kapler said Samardzija's "stuff looked good" during a four-inning simulated game Thursday, the Giants may be asking the right-hander to build up his arm only as a contingency in case the club needs another rotation arm. Ultimately, Samardzija's role could be tied to the health of Kevin Gausman (elbow), who is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday. If Gausman's tests bear bad news and he's forced to the IL, Samardzija could be called upon to start before the season concludes. However, if Gausman isn't forced to miss time, Samardzija will likely prepare for a multi-inning role out of the bullpen over the final two weeks of the regular season before hitting free agency this winter.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Set for another sim game
Rotowire
Samardzija (shoulder) will throw another simulated game Thursday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Samardzija continues to work his way back from the shoulder inflammation that he's been battling since early August. He doesn't have much time left to make his return, but it appears as though he'll have a shot to make at least an appearance or two before the end of the campaign.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Another sim game scheduled
Rotowire
Samardzija (shoulder) will throw three innings in a simulated game Saturday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Samardzija struggled to a 9.88 ERA in three starts before being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation back in early August. It initially appeared as though there was a chance the veteran's season would end prematurely, but it now looks as though he'll have time to make a handful of starts before the end of the year. It's not yet clear whether or not Saturday's session will be his final one before he's ready to return, however.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Set to face hitters
Rotowire
Samardzija (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday and is on track to face hitters Tuesday at the Giants' alternate training site in Sacramento, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Samardzija hasn't thrown a competitive pitch since experiencing inflammation in his right shoulder following his last start with the Giants on Aug. 7, but he looks to be closing in on a return from the 10-day injured list. After completing two side sessions without incident, he'll take another step forward in his throwing program by facing hitters. If all goes well Tuesday, Samardzija could be a candidate to rejoin the San Francisco rotation as soon as Sept. 5 against Arizona, when the Giants may need a new pitcher to start in place of the injured Trevor Cahill (hip).
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Bullpen session on tap
Rotowire
Samardzija (shoulder inflammation) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
He has been throwing on flat ground and is progressing well. It sounds like Samardzija is making steady progress, but there will be several more checkpoints for him to hit after his bullpen session before he will be able to return to the big-league rotation.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Slated to begin throwing program
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Samardzija (shoulder) will begin a throwing program Wednesday, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The timetable for Samardzija's potential return remains unclear, but he's feeling better and progressing in his recovery. More clarity on his status could be revealed once he's able to resume throwing. Trevor Cahill is serving in the starting rotation while Samardzija is out.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: To be reevaluated soon
Rotowire
Samardzija (shoulder) will be reevaluated when the Giants return from their road trip, which ends Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.
Samardzija is still without a timetable for his return, but the outlook doesn't appear to be particularly good. Following an MRI on Saturday, he's been diagnosed with both inflammation and an impingement in his right rotator cuff. Trevor Cahill has stepped into the rotation in his absence.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Managing rotator cuff inflammation
Rotowire
Samardzija (shoulder) was diagnosed with right rotator cuff inflammation after undergoing an MRI on Saturday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
The 35-year-old was placed on the injured list Saturday and was struggling to begin the season with a 9.88 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 13.2 innings (three starts). Samardzija won't throw for at least seven days and seems unlikely to be activated when eligible Aug. 18. Trevor Cahill and Andrew Suarez are potential candidates to fill his spot in the rotation.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Out with shoulder injury
Rotowire
Samardzija was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement Saturday.
The shoulder issue could explain Samardzija's struggles to start the season, as he's been beaten up to the tune of a 9.88 through his first three outings, striking out just five batters over 13.2 frames. He'll be eligible to return as soon as Aug. 18, though the Giants have yet to indicate how much time they expect him to miss. He'll undergo an MRI on Saturday which should help determine his return timetable. Andrew Suarez was recalled in a corresponding move, though it's not yet clear who will be taking the veteran's place in the rotation.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Struggles in loss
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Samardzija (0-2) was charged with the loss Friday against the Dodgers, surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out three across four innings.
After recording two outs in the third inning, Samardzija gave up a solo home run to Mookie Betts, followed by a single to Cody Bellinger, who advanced to second on a fielding error by Darin Ruf. Justin Turner then scored Bellinger with an RBI single, giving the Dodgers the lead. Samardzija ran into more trouble in the fourth, when he gave up home runs to Max Muncy and Will Smith. His night came to an end in the fifth frame after he loaded up the bases without any outs, issuing a lead-off walk and hitting back-to-back batters with a pitch. It's been a rough go-around of a season for the 35-year-old veteran, who will look to improve upon a 9.88 ERA and 1.61 WHIP at Houston on Wednesday.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Will stay on turn in rotation
Rotowire
Samardzija will stay on turn and start Friday's game against the Dodgers after dealing with a blister in his previous two starts, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The blister has kept Samardzija from throwing his splitter in his first two outings of 2020. It's not entirely clear if the right-hander is still dealing with the issue, but the Giants appear to be comfortable handing him the ball Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Samardzija has struggled thus far this season, allowing 10 earned runs on 11 hits, while striking out just two batters in 9.2 innings of work.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Dealing with blister
Rotowire
Samardzija has dealt with a blister that prevented him from throwing his splitter over his first two starts this season, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Samardzija has struck out just two batters over 9.2 innings in his first two starts, and the absence of one of his strongest pitches could provide an explanation for his lack of dominance. However, the issue hasn't prevented the 35-year-old from taking the mound despite the limitations in his pitch repertoire.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Hammered for five runs
Rotowire
Samardzija allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk across 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out one batter in the loss to Texas. He did not factor in the decision.
As previously noted, Samardzija has been dealing with a blister, which could help explain his 9.31 ERA across 9.2 innings this season. After allowing three runs in the second inning, the 35-year-old served up a two-run blast to Shin-Soo Choo. For now, Samardzija is in line for a tough road matchup against the Dodgers on Friday, but it's unclear if his blister issue will push his next outing back.
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Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Allows five runs in loss
Rotowire
Samardzija (0-1) allowed five runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter over four innings in a loss to the Padres on Tuesday.
Fernando Tatis and Wil Myers played long ball off Samardzija in the third and fourth innings, respectively, putting the Giants in too deep of a hole to climb out of. Samardzija had a 3.52 ERA last season, but the estimators were far less kind to him on account of a middling strikeout rate and fortunate .240 BABIP. Now 35, Samardzija's mixed-league relevance is holding on by a thread. He should at least be available for more pitches this weekend against the Rangers after throwing just 75 pitches in his season debut.
