May 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Scott Kazmir (16) throws a pitch in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants’ impressive 2021 season has reached its end after an NLDS elimination by the Los Angeles Dodgers. These three players may not return in 2022.
The San Francisco Giants finished the regular-season with the best record in baseball. They did so with 107-wins, the most the team has ever recorded in a single season in franchise history. That had fans in the Bay Area ecstatic about a deep run in the postseason.
However, the ride officially reached its end on Thursday night, as they fell 2-1 to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLDS. The team has a ton of things to do this offseason to ensure that they can clinch a playoff berth next year as well. But, that does not mean everyone will return next year.
Here are three players who probably won’t return to the Giants next season.
Giants: Scott Kazmir unlikely to return
Scott Kazmir was the feel good story of the Giants, as he managed to get on the major league roster for the first time since playing 26 games for the Dodgers in 2016.
Kazmir spent time between the Giants roster and with their Triple-A team in Sacramento. In five appearances with San Francisco (four starts), the left-hander posted a 6.35 ERA, a 1.85 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and six walks in 11.1 innings of work. Kazmir was placed on the 10-day injured list just prior to the postseason due to a right hamstring strain.
The Giants are going to be playoff contenders entering next season, and they will simply need reliable arms on their roster. Considering Kazmir has a history with injuries, the Giants may need to look elsewhere.