Giants claim LHP Quintana from Angels

August 30th, 2021

The Giants claimed pitcher off waivers from the Angels on Monday, ending the left-hander’s disappointing stint with the Halos.

San Francisco will hope Quintana can be its latest successful reclamation project. The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $8 million contract as a free agent in January but wound up going 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 24 games (10 starts) for the Angels while missing some time with left shoulder inflammation. Quintana struck out 73 batters but also walked 29, and opponents slashed .297/.378/.482 against him.

Los Angeles took a shot on Quintana after he missed most of the shortened 2020 season due to injury. After he made nine starts with a 7.22 ERA through the end of May, he went on the IL and returned June 22 in a bullpen role, with his only start since then a disastrous one on Aug. 19 at Detroit (1 1/3 innings, six runs).

Quintana did fare better as a reliever, however, with a 3.93 ERA and 22-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 14 appearances (18 1/3 innings). That could be the role in which he contributes in San Francisco, which carried a 3.34 starters ERA -- and MLB’s best record (84-46) -- into Monday night’s series opener against the Brewers.

But Quintana also could provide rotation depth in case of injuries down the stretch. The 10-year veteran owns a 3.83 career ERA and was an AL All-Star in 2016 with the White Sox before moving across town to the Cubs in a ‘17 trade.