Outside of Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner, only one member of the Giants’ pitching staff had claimed multiple World Series titles with San Francisco.
Now, George Kontos will take his rings to Pittsburgh.
On Saturday, Kontos was claimed off of waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who will receive the services of the seventh-year veteran in their push for a National League playoff berth.
The Giants will not receive a player or cash in return for Kontos, who signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with San Francisco last offseason. However, San Francisco now has a 40-man roster spot open, which will likely be taken by Pablo Sandoval, whose contract was purchased by the Giants on Saturday morning. Kontos’ departure also freed up a spot on the team’s 25-man roster, and the Giants used the opening to activate Chris Stratton from the 10-day disabled list.
Stratton will start Saturday evening’s game for San Francisco against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kontos made his Major League debut with the Yankees in 2011, but joined the Giants in 2012 and spent six seasons with the franchise.
Kontos led all Giants’ relievers with 50 appearances this season, but struggled in certain situations, especially when he inherited runners on base. Kontos’ 3.83 earned run average this season is more than a full point higher than each of the ERAs he’s recorded over the past four seasons in San Francisco.