Giants claim Palumbo on waivers

The San Francisco Giants claimed pitcher Joe Palumbo on waivers from the Texas Rangers today, it has been announced.

Palumbo, 27, was a 30th round draft pick of the Rangers in 2013, and appeared to be having a breakout year in 2017 at high-A before Tommy John surgery cut his season short. He bounced back fairly well in 2018, and made it to the majors in 2019, but struggled to stay healthy and log innings. Palumbo appeared in just two games in 2020 due to ulcerative colitis, and then made just six appearances — totaling 6.2 IP — for Round Rock in 2021 due to a back injury that ultimately ended his season, once again, prematurely.

Palumbo, when he has been healthy, has had impressive stuff but significant issues with the consistency of his command, a problem likely exacerbated by his inability to stay healthy and pick up innings. He seemed unlikely to stick on the 40 man roster all offseason, but he did seem like someone the Rangers might try to run through waivers and outright later in the winter.

With Palumbo and Jharel Cotton being claimed today from the Rangers, the 40 man roster, including players on the 60 day injured list, is down to 40.