Ex-World Series champion pitcher holding workout in comeback attempt
Jun 13, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Ken Giles (53) prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Former World Series champion relief pitcher Ken Giles is hoping to make an MLB return.
Giles will be throwing a bullpen on Friday for interested teams. The reliever’s agent says his client is healthy and ready to pitch in MLB again.
As @JonHeyman said, Ken Giles will throw a bullpen Friday in Phoenix for interested teams. Giles is healthy, according to his agent, Randy Rowley, and ready to resume his major-league career. Has appeared in only five games past three seasons.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 20, 2024
Giles, 33, has been dominant at times during his career. He was the closer on the Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series-winning team. Giles had 34 saves and a 2.30 ERA that season. He was even better with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019. He went 2-3 with a 1.87 ERA and 23 saves that year, adding 83 strikeouts in 53 innings.
Giles struggled in four appearances for the Blue Jays in 2020 and underwent Tommy John surgery that September. He missed all of the 2021 season and appeared in five games in 2022 for the Mariners.
Giles pitched in Triple-A Oklahoma City for the Dodgers last season but was awful. He had a 9.50 ERA over 18 innings for the PCL team.
Giles is a free agent and looking to get another opportunity.
