The Giants claimed left-handed pitcher Darien Núñez off waivers, the club announced. The 29-year-old from Cuba had been in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization since 2018.
Núñez learned the news on Tuesday after undergoing Tommy John surgery, according to reporter Francys Romero.
At the Triple-A level in 2021, Núñez recorded a 2.42 ERA in 31 games. That’s the kind of upper-level success San Francisco covets.
But Núñez didn’t fare nearly as well in his first taste of big-league experience. In 7.2 innings pitched for the Dodgers, the reliever allowed seven earned runs on eight hits. He walked four batters and struck out eight.
Since Núñez just had surgery on his elbow, the Giants will be paying him to rehab this year. Afterward, they can re-assess based on how he performs post-surgery.
Núñez is the second minor transaction San Francisco has made in as many days; SF acquired infield prospect Kevin Padlo for cash earlier this week. Since waiver priority goes in reverse order of standings, the Giants traded for Padlo instead of risking another team claiming him.
