Watson has decided to step away after an 11-year career, which included stops with the Pirates, Giants, Dodgers and Angels. The 36-year-old left-hander retires as the major leagues all-time leader in holds (246) and finishes with a sparkling 2.90 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 570/174 K/BB ratio across 648 1/3 innings (689 appearances) since 2011.

Watson landed on the injured list before the final weekend of the regular season due to a left shoulder strain, but it has proven to be relatively minor and he could be an option for the Giants in the NLCS if they are able to advance past the Dodgers in the NLDS. The veteran reliever posted a 2.96 ERA across 24 1/3 innings this summer with San Francisco after being acquired from the Angels at the July 30 trade deadline.

Watson will obviously miss the rest of the regular season with only four games left. The left-hander could be an option in the middle innings for the Giants in the NLDS -- assuming they get to that point, which seems likely with a two-game lead and only four games to play. 

The 36-year-old southpaw returns to the Giants, where he pitched previously from 2018-2020. He has made 36 appearances out of the Angels bullpen this season, posting a 4.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 25/14 K/BB ratio over 33 innings. He'll help bridge the gap to closer Jake McGee.