CLEVELAND, Ohio — Sam Hentges wasn’t out of work long.
The Guardians made him a free agent on Nov. 21 when they didn’t offer him a contract for 2026. On Thursday, he and the Giants agreed to terms on a one-year $1.4 million big-league deal.
Hentges missed the 2025 season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder capsule and labrum on Sept. 18, 2024. In September of 2025, while rehabbing from his shoulder surgery, he also underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
The Guardians drafted the 6-foot-8, 245-pound Hentges in the fourth round in 2014.
Hentges was a starter through his minor league career until his big league debut in 2021, when he made 18 relief appearances in 30 total outings.
He had his best season in 2022 when the Guardians won the AL Central. He pitched 62 innings in 57 appearances, striking out 72 and walking 19. The opposition hit .186 against him.
In the postseason, Hentges struck out 10 and allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He threw the final three innings in the Guardians’ 1-0 win over the Rays in 15 innings in the second and deciding wild card game.
Hentges made 56 appearances in 2023 and 25 in 2024 before being shutdown. Along with Hentges, Will Brennan and Nic Enright were non-tendered on Nov. 21.
Tim Herrin and Joey Cantillo are the only lefties on the Guardians’ current 40-man roster that have extensive experience in the bullpen.