Samardzija was released by the Giants in 2020 after registering an ugly 9.72 ERA in four starts for San Francisco over the summer. The right-hander has history in Chicago, as he had some of his best seasons while a member of the Cubs before leaving the organization in 2014. Considering his recent struggles, it would seem very likely that Samardzija would be signing an incentive-laden team with whatever club he lands on this winter or spring. 

Wow. It's been a brutal year for the right-hander, who has a 9.72 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in four starts, but this news still comes as a bit of a shock. That said, the Giants are in a fight for their playoff lives and must have better use for his roster spot with a few games left still to play. He was set to be a free agent after the season anyway, so this just gives Samardzija a jump on finding a new club. He'll turn 36 years old in January.

It was Samardzija's first appearance since Aug. 7, when he gave up five earned runs to fall to 0-2 with a 9.88 ERA. He's doing his best with diminished stuff, but he'd seem to be a poor use of a roster spot if the Giants advance to the postseason.

Samardzija will start the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Padres. He's been out since early August with a right shoulder injury.