The San Francisco Giants have reportedly reached a one-year, $1.4 million agreement with veteran left-handed reliever Sam Hentges. The 29-year-old, who missed the 2025 season due to shoulder and knee surgery, joins the Giants' bullpen after four years with the Cleveland Guardians. This move follows the non-tendering of Joey Lucchesi and aims to bolster San Francisco's relief options heading into 2026.
San Francisco's bullpen received a boost on Thanksgiving morning when reports emerged of a deal with free agent Sam Hentges. According to FanSided's Robert Murray, citing a source familiar with the agreement, the Giants signed the left-hander to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million. Hentges, a fourth-round pick by the Guardians in the 2014 MLB Draft, spent his entire four-year big-league career in Cleveland, appearing in 168 games and throwing 206.2 innings.
The 29-year-old missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder labrum surgery in September 2024 and knee surgery. His last action came in 2024, where he posted a 3.04 ERA with 27 strikeouts and five walks over 23.2 innings before getting injured in July. Transitioning to full-time relief in 2022, Hentges excelled with a 2.93 ERA across 138 appearances. That year marked his peak, going 3-2 with a 2.32 ERA, 72 strikeouts against 19 walks in 62 innings over 57 games, and a career-high 1.3 WAR. In 2023, he followed with a 3.61 ERA and 2.64 FIP in 52.1 innings.
The Guardians non-tendered Hentges despite his reliability, filling his role with lefties Tim Herrin and Erik Sabrowski. For the Giants, who traded closer Camilo Doval to the Yankees last year and saw Ryan Walker lead with 17 saves but a 4.11 ERA, Hentges adds depth. He joins fellow left-handed relievers Erik Miller, Matt Gage, and Reiver Sanmartin on the 40-man roster, providing options in the back end. The signing also clarifies the decision to non-tender Joey Lucchesi on November 21, after his 3.76 ERA and strong marks against left-handed hitters (.219 average, .598 OPS in 38 appearances). With one more year of team control after 2026, Hentges represents low-risk potential if he regains form after 19 months away from the mound.
