Lucas Giolito has a new home — again.
The right-hander, who the Angels acquired just a month ago at the trade deadline, was claimed by the Guardians after he was placed on irrevocable waivers this week, along with teammates Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore.
Giolito, an impending free agent who has a 4.45 ERA in 153 2/3 innings this year, was one of many expiring contracts to be placed on waivers ahead of the September roster expansion, along with Harrison Bader and another Angel, Hunter Renfroe.
Bader and Renfroe are headed to the Reds, The Post’s Greg Joyce and Jon Heyman confirmed, while the Brewers have interest in Josh Donaldson, according to The Athletic, after his release by the Yankees.
Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Randal Grichuk all cleared waivers and will remain with the Mets, White Sox and Rockies, respectively.
Teams earn a higher waiver priority with a lower record, which favors the clubs on the periphery of the playoff race, like the Reds and the Guardians.
The Guardians, who are 64-70 and five games out of the AL Central lead, are fortifying their pitching staff depth with their waiver pickups and should figure to slot Giolito in their starting rotation while sending Lopez and Moore to the bullpen.
Lopez, who was also sent from the White Sox to the Angels along with Giolito, has a 3.93 ERA in 55 innings this year.
Moore, once ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball ahead of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, has tossed 44 bullpen innings this year for a 2.66 ERA.
Cleveland’s pitching staff ranks fifth in the league with a 3.85 ERA, but the team’s offense has been anemic.
The Guardians have a .691 OPS as a team, which ranks 26th in MLB.
Credit: Source link
