When pitchers get hurt, especially when it involves a shoulder or an elbow, it could potentially be career threatening.
That was the case when veteran relief pitcher Ken Giles underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
The right-hander appeared in just five games with the Seattle Mariners in 2022 after missing a good chunk of the 2020 season and all of 2021 recovering from surgery.
Fortunately, Giles made his way back, and appears to be healthy again.
According to MLB columnist Jon Heyman, Giles will be throwing at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona with several interested teams in attendance.
Heyman notes that the former closer is fully healthy two years removed from the surgery.
Former Rolaids finalist and World Series closer Ken Giles will be throwing 2 weeks from today — Feb. 8 — at ASU in Tempe, Ariz. for interested teams. Giles is said to be “100% healthy,” 2 yrs removed from TJ surgery
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 25, 2023
This could be a chance for Giles to revitalize his career.
Over his eight seasons in Major League Baseball, the right-hander owns a 2.71 ERA and has saved a total of 115 games.
He made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014 and later joined the Houston Astros, with whom he would win a World Series ring with in 2017.
The veteran righty was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 at the trade deadline in exchange for Roberto Osuna.
With not many pitchers left on the free agent market, Giles could be a good find for a team in need of some relief pitching help.
After the Boston Red Sox traded away Josh Taylor in the deal for Adalberto Mondesi, they could use an extra bullpen arm.
Giles could be a fit there.
The Milwaukee Brewers might be another team who could use an arm after parting ways with Josh Hader.
